CENTRAL Insurance has linked up with former Scottish rugby captain and BBC pundit Andy Nicol to boost the tailored service it provides for corporate customers and private clients looking for customised insurance packages.

Mr Nicol, a former head of business development at Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) private banking division, has become an ambassador for Central Bespoke in a bid to raise its profile and introduce its service to potential clients.

Central Bespoke specialises in cover for prestige and performance cars, domestic and foreign property portfolios, and high value items such as art and jewellery.

The partnership with Mr Nicol, a former British & Irish Lion, aims to build its presence in this specialist sector.

Tom Aldridge, regional director at Central Insurance, said: "It is part of our heritage, especially in Edinburgh. There is a significant segment of the insurance market that values the input of a broker to design and place high-quality insurance for complex risks and valuable items, which the direct market would not necessarily cover.

"We are growing in this area and Andy's involvement will help us to develop in the right direction."

Central Insurance, which employs 130 staff in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Kendal, said it had built its business largely on client referrals. But it hopes the arrangement with Mr Nicol will help it reach a wider audience thanks to his contacts.

Mr Nicol, who joined private bank Adam & Company after leaving RBS, is chief executive of Abstract, a business consultant focused on people development.

He said: "Central Bespoke is a great business and I was very keen to get involved since it clearly values the individual as highly as I do.

"As a former team captain, and having worked in private banking for a number of years, I understand the necessity of making personal connections and managing each person as an individual."