Movo Group launches DA network because the ‘space needs a shake up’

Movo Group, the parent company behind Movo Partnership – the broker network solely for appointed representatives (AR) – has launched a new network business for directly authorised (DA) brokers, called Movo Fusion.

The new network entity will formally launch on 1 May 2026 with the addition of its first broker member – independent commercial insurance broker Merlin Insurance, based in London.

The broker was previously a Movo Partnership member, but is “now coming across into the DA world”, according to Lea Cheesbrough, managing director at Movo Partnership and chief executive at Movo Group.

Speaking exclusively to Insurance Times, Cheesbrough confirmed that plans for Movo Fusion have been in the pipeline for the past two years. However, bringing the network to fruition was delayed – in part due to Movo Group obtaining investment from Australian insurance business AUB Group, which completed in 2024.

Movo Fusion soft launched in January 2026, ahead of its first member joining this week.

According to Cheesbrough, the new network offers a near identical support offering to Movo Partnership – it is just the target audience that is different. Rather than catering to AR brokers, like Movo Partnership does, Movo Fusion is designed to help already established – rather than startup – DA brokers.

And, for Movo Partnership members that would like to become directly authorised, Movo Fusion will do the application to assist with this process, Cheesbrough added.

Directly authorised brokers are directly regulated by the FCA and have full responsibility for their own compliance, liabilities and brand.

Appointed representatives, on the other hand, conduct regulated activities under the permissions of a principal firm, rather than having direct FCA authorisation themselves. The principal company, therefore, has full legal responsibility for their AR’s compliance.

Movo Fusion – which charges a set fee for its services – offers compliance and governance support, human resources functionality, a placement team, systems support, Terms of Business Agreement (Toba) work and an in-house claims team – where eight claims handlers currently deal with around 4,000 claims a year from Movo Partnership’s broker members.

Necessary support

Cheesbrough has initial plans for Movo Fusion to have 10 broker members in the next two years, with three of these joining in 2026. This initial cohort will come from Movo Partnership, she added, with Movo Fusion taking on non-network brokers from 2027.

Cheesbrough described Movo Fusion as a “no brainer”, designed in response to broker feedback.

In part, this decision was influenced by upcoming changes in “property managing rules”.

On 1 May 2026, amendments to the UK’s Renters’ Rights Act 2025 come into effect, mandating that property managers be competent, qualified and accountable – among a raft of other sector-wide changes.

As a result, many property managers are opting to become ARs in order to legitimately handle insurance and receive commissions. AR brokers operating in this sector, therefore, are considering an associated move to become directly authorised to facilitate these changes.

Cheesbrough explained: “It became a bit of a defence strategy because I didn’t want to lose brokers [from Movo Partnership once they became directly authorised]. Brokers didn’t want to leave us. It was a case of this is a bit of a no brainer. It’s about offering solutions.”

In addition, Cheesbrough had received numerous requests from DA brokers wanting to join Movo Partnership over the years, so she wanted to build a network that could accommodate this market desire.

“For me, Movo Fusion is a necessity in the market,” Cheesbrough told Insurance Times.

“The directly authorised network space needs a shake up and I love to be a disruptor. I want to really get to know the directly authorised brokers that we bring in and make sure the services [we provide] are right for them. I really would like to keep it more boutique.

“I feel as though we owe it to the brokers out there to give them options, give them choice and to give them support. And that’s really all I’m trying to do with this.”