Gary Lineker teams with insurance firms to back smart home insurer
Neos, first flagged in our September briefing, has raised more than £1m in its latest funding round to develop a service that monitors homes using technology to keep track of possible break-ins, water leaks and fires. The start-up, that is backed by Gary Lineker and several insurance veterans, aims to keep homes secure and prevent insurance claims. Barry Smith, formerly CEO of Ageas CEO, joins as chairman. The connected home insurance service integrates policies with devices, claiming to be the first British firm to do so. Hiscox will underwrite the policies, however, Neos is in talks with other insurers about investing and underwriting.

Former Ageas chief executive officer Barry Smith also joined the board of Neos as chairman.

Former Ageas chief executive officer Barry Smith has joined the board of Neos, a connected home insurance service, as chairman.

It was announced that Neos had raised over £1m in initial seed funding from Eos Venture Partners including new investors.

The new investors are: Smith, Steve Broughton, former managing director of RSA insurance who joined as a non-exec director and Richard King, the founder of ingenie who is an advisor.

Former England footballer and Match of the Day host, Gary Lineker