London — January 2026 — Juliet Bentley, founder of Premium Medical Protection, has returned to the UK medical indemnity market with the launch of First Medical Indemnity (FMI), a new medical indemnity MGA focused on supporting clinicians working in private practice through clearer governance, specialist support and modern infrastructure.
Bentley led Premium Medical Protection from its launch in 2009 through to its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in 2017, leaving the business in 2019. Since then, she says the private healthcare landscape has continued to evolve rapidly, creating new operational, regulatory and reputational pressures for clinicians working independently.
According to Bentley, many traditional indemnity structures have struggled to adapt to the realities of modern private practice, particularly as healthcare becomes increasingly digital, patient expectations continue to rise and clinicians face growing levels of scrutiny.
“Private practice today is very different from what it was even a decade ago,” Bentley said. “Clinicians are navigating more complex contractual environments, greater regulatory oversight and increasing reputational exposure. We believe indemnity needs to evolve alongside that environment and provide clearer, more responsive support.”
First Medical Indemnity has been developed around an integrated operational model intended to simplify the clinician experience from onboarding and underwriting through to policy administration and ongoing support. The business combines specialist underwriting with streamlined systems and access to early guidance when concerns arise.
Bentley says the aim is to reduce unnecessary complexity while helping clinicians better understand the structures supporting them.
“Doctors increasingly tell us they want clarity,” she said. “They want to understand how decisions are made, how concerns are managed and where support is available throughout the process. We believe clinicians should feel informed and supported, not overwhelmed by administration or uncertainty.”
As part of its approach, FMI works alongside specialist healthcare lawyers at Clyde & Co, enabling legal insight and support to form part of the wider governance and risk management framework from an early stage.
The company has also removed the traditional ‘hammer clause’, a feature commonly found within indemnity and insurance arrangements that can limit a clinician’s control over the resolution of claims. Bentley believes maintaining clinician involvement in these decisions is increasingly important in an environment where professional reputation carries significant weight.
“Professional reputation matters enormously within private practice,” Bentley said. “Clinicians want confidence that they remain involved in decisions that may affect their careers, their relationships with patients and their future practice.”
Alongside its core indemnity offering, FMI is also developing educational and support resources focused on risk awareness, complaints management, governance processes and professional wellbeing.
Bentley argues that the emotional impact of complaints, investigations and regulatory matters is often underestimated within the sector.
“The stress associated with complaints and investigations can be significant,” she said. “Supporting clinicians properly means recognising both the professional and personal impact these situations can have, particularly within independent practice.”
FMI launches initially with a focus on clinicians working in private practice across a broad range of specialties throughout the UK. The business says its long-term objective is to create a more modern and transparent approach to medical indemnity, aligned with the changing realities of independent healthcare delivery.
“This is not about recreating older models,” Bentley added. “It’s about recognising how healthcare has changed and building an indemnity structure designed for the realities of modern private practice.”
About First Medical Indemnity
First Medical Indemnity is a London-based medical indemnity MGA backed by capacity from Lloyd’s of London. Founded by Juliet Bentley, FMI combines underwriting expertise, legal alignment and technology infrastructure to support clinicians with clearer governance and practical risk understanding across private practice.
Regulatory information
First Medical Indemnity is an Appointed Representative of Bridge Specialty International, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Medical Indemnity is a Lloyd’s Coverholder with delegated underwriting authority.
Media enquiries
Press Team — First Medical Indemnity
press@firstmedicalindemnity.co.uk
+44 (0)208 1766754
www.firstmedicalindemnity.co.uk