SPECIALIST TAILORED INSURANCE
Directors and Officers Insurance
Directors and officers insurance from Nowell & Richards - tailored cover, expert advice, and personal liability protection for senior leadership.
Directors and Officers Insurance by Nowell & Richards
In today’s complex regulatory and legal environment, company directors and senior executives face increasing personal exposure to claims and investigations. With over 250 statutes and statutory instruments under which directors can be held personally liable, the risks are real—and growing. Directors and Officers Insurance provides essential protection, covering legal defence costs and potential liabilities arising from decisions made in the course of their duties. Whether it’s a claim of mismanagement, breach of duty, or a regulatory investigation, D&O Insurance helps safeguard the personal assets of your leadership team – allowing them to lead with confidence.
Contact us to discuss your requirements and we’ll typically respond the same working day.
Who Does D&O Insurance Cover?
This specialist policy protects directors, officers, and senior managers against the cost of defending or settling a wide range of claims, including:
- Health and Safety Breaches: Claims arising from workplace accidents or non-compliance with health and safety regulations, which can lead to personal liability for directors.
- Corporate Manslaughter: Allegations that a company’s management failures led to a fatality can result in criminal charges against individuals at the top.
- Employment and Equality Disputes: Claims involving unfair dismissal, workplace harassment, or breaches of the Equality Act—such as age, gender, race, or religious discrimination.
- Sexual or Disability Discrimination: Allegations of inappropriate conduct, failure to accommodate disabilities, or discriminatory hiring and promotion practices.
- Breach of Duty or Trust: Accusations that a director failed to act in the best interests of the company or misused their position for personal gain.
- Wrongful Trading: Claims that directors continued to trade while knowing the business was insolvent, potentially exposing them to personal financial liability.
- Professional Negligence: Allegations of poor decision-making, mismanagement, or failure to meet regulatory or fiduciary responsibilities.
- Defamation and Reputational Harm: Legal action resulting from statements made by directors that damage the reputation of individuals, competitors, or other stakeholders.
With D&O claims having increased fourfold over the past decade, robust management liability insurance is more important than ever. At Nowell & Richards, we take a strategic approach to risk management. We begin by understanding your business structure, culture, and specific exposures before tailoring a policy that protects your leadership and your legacy.
Why Choose Nowell & Richards for your Directors and Officers Insurance?
At Nowell & Richards, we understand that protecting your leadership team requires more than a standard insurance policy. It demands a strategic, personalised approach that reflects the unique responsibilities and exposures faced by directors and senior executives. We take the time to understand your business structure, assess your regulatory and operational risks, and align your cover with your long-term objectives.
With this insight, we independently search the market to deliver a Directors and Officers Insurance solution that offers robust protection against personal liability. As experienced commercial insurance brokers, we work with the UK’s most trusted underwriters to provide comprehensive, reliable cover tailored to your organisation’s needs.
Our advice-led approach is built on trust, discretion, and long-term relationships. From initial consultation through to claims support, we act as your dedicated advisors – offering expert guidance across all areas of management liability. With billions of pounds in insured assets and a proven track record, we’re here to help you lead with confidence and protect what matters most.
D&O Insurance FAQ
If your business has directors or senior decision-makers, understanding Directors and Officers Insurance is essential. This cover helps protect individuals in leadership roles from personal liability arising from decisions made in the course of their duties – whether due to legal claims, regulatory investigations, or allegations of mismanagement.
We’ve answered some of the most common questions to help you understand how this important cover works. If you’d prefer to speak with someone directly, our experienced Commercial Insurance team is here to help. Just call us on 01785 255514 or contact us online – we usually respond the same working day.
D&O Insurance protects directors, officers, and senior managers from personal liability in the event of legal action arising from decisions made in their professional roles. It covers defence costs, settlements, and damages related to civil, criminal, or regulatory claims.
Any business with a formal management structure—whether a limited company, charity, or non-profit—should consider D&O cover. It’s especially important for organisations where directors make strategic decisions that could impact employees, stakeholders, or the public.
D&O policies typically cover claims related to health and safety breaches, corporate manslaughter, employment disputes, discrimination, breach of duty, wrongful trading, negligence, and defamation. These claims can arise from employees, regulators, shareholders, or third parties.
Yes. Most policies include cover for former directors and officers for actions taken during their time in office, even if the claim arises after they’ve left the business.
Not at all. Small and medium-sized businesses are just as vulnerable to management liability claims. In fact, SMEs often lack the internal legal resources to defend such claims, making D&O cover even more critical.
Yes. One of the primary benefits of D&O Insurance is covering the legal costs associated with defending a claim, which can be substantial—even if the claim is ultimately dismissed.
At Nowell & Richards, we assess your business structure, industry, and risk exposure before sourcing a policy. We work with leading underwriters to ensure your cover reflects your specific needs and responsibilities.
Getting a Directors and Officers Insurance quote with Nowell & Richards is simple and straightforward. Just call us on 01785 255514 or get in touch via our website. One of our experienced Commercial Insurance Executives will guide you through the process and help tailor a policy that reflects your organisation’s structure, sector, and leadership risks – ensuring your directors and senior executives are properly protected.
First class claims service
If you do need to make a claim then you won’t be left alone to manage the process directly with the insurer. Making a claim is when you most need professional advice and is when our service really comes into its own.
Our in-house claims team will help you every step of the way, including your own dedicated claims manager. They will work with you to help you settle your claim as promptly and fully as possible.
We use our knowledge of your home and possessions and the policy cover to make the process as simple as possible for you. At every stage, we’ll advise you on the next steps you need to take and help you prepare all the relevant information and documents to support your claim.
Our reputation
Having worked with business owners, entrepreneurs and professional sports people since 1976, we know how to meet the sophisticated needs of such clients in a professional manner. Our business and reputation have grown thanks to our high levels of client retention and referral.
We’re now part of the JMG Group – one of the UK’s top 30 insurance brokers. This has given us greater access to exclusive offerings from major insurers, whilst retaining our independence in the advice that we provide.
Get in touch to discuss your D&O Requirements
Call us on 01785 255514 or contact us through the website and we’ll provide the advice you need. We’ll respond the same working day and arrange a time to speak with you in more detail about your requirements.