AP Companies Establishes London Hub to Drive Strategic Growth in Global Insurance and Maritime Sectors

Global medical assistance specialist, AP Companies, has announced the establishment of a new strategic base in the City of London. This move is designed to strengthen relationships with its existing partners and to spearhead future growth across the general insurance, London, and Lloyd’s markets.

The decision to open a London office is a deliberate strategic move designed to embed AP Companies within the epicenter of the global insurance industry, rather than simply a physical expansion. This presence in the City provides direct access to key decision-makers and market-shapers, enabling the company to enhance its service delivery and strategic alignment.

The primary benefits of this new base include:

• Enhanced Collaboration: Proximity to the head offices of major insurers, reinsurers, and brokers is intended to foster deeper, more effective partnerships and a more integrated approach to client solutions.
• Accelerated Decision-Making: Being physically present in the market will drive faster and more responsive strategic decisions, allowing the company to adapt quickly to new opportunities and client needs.
• Anticipating Market Needs: Operating from the center of the London insurance and maritime community provides a unique vantage point to better understand and anticipate the evolving requirements of this critical market.
• Strengthening Relationships: The move emphasizes the value of direct engagement in a market built on personal connection. As Lizzie MacLehose, who will lead the new office, states, the London community is "built on relationships, expertise, and face-to-face interaction," and this office places AP Companies at its very heart.

To execute this ambitious vision, AP Companies has appointed proven industry leadership to spearhead the new venture. The new London office will be headed by Lizzie MacLehose in her role as Head of Development and Co-operation Worldwide. Bringing over 15 years of experience in international medical assistance, she will oversee an experienced team of six. This office will serve as the company's new commercial and strategic centre. To ensure complete service continuity for all clients, operational support will continue to be managed from the company's existing site in Beckenham.

This strategic expansion into London is built upon a reputation forged over the last decade for skillfully combining global medical expertise with pioneering digital innovation. This technological capability serves as a key differentiator, enabling the company to deliver efficient and user-friendly solutions on a global scale.

The company's digital tools are designed to directly enhance the experience for both end-users and insurer clients:

• AP Direct App & AP Global Health Cards: These platforms provide members with seamless, cashless access to medical care worldwide, removing financial friction and administrative burdens during times of need.
• Streamlined Processes: The technology simplifies and accelerates claims processes, creating a more positive and efficient user journey.
• Supporting Insurer Obligations: These digital solutions are instrumental in helping insurers meet their conduct risk obligations by ensuring transparent, fair, and effective service delivery.

"Establishing a dedicated operation in the heart of the City of London will enable us to better support our existing clients across the medical, travel, and maritime insurance sectors and to develop new business in the London insurance market. Being close to the head offices of major insurers, reinsurers, and brokers is a deliberate strategic step and will drive faster decision-making, help foster deeper collaboration, and anticipate the evolving needs of this critical market. The London insurance and maritime community is built on relationships, expertise, and face-to-face interaction, and this new office puts us right at its centre." Lizzie MacLehose, Head of Development and Co-operation Worldwide, AP Companies

"This is a major strategic move for our business and underlines our long-term commitment to the London market and our ambition to be the partner of choice for insurers, reinsurers, and brokers seeking tailored, effective, and innovative medical assistance solutions." Natalya Butakova, CEO, AP Companies

About AP Companies

Founded in 1997, AP Companies is a leading international provider of medical assistance, cost containment, and third-party administration (TPA) services. The company serves clients across the international private medical insurance (IPMI), travel, maritime, and aviation sectors. With 250 employees globally and an extensive network of over 125,000 contracted medical providers, the company delivers seamless access to quality healthcare and reliable cost management for both emergency and planned medical care solutions worldwide.