Market Moves - 11 September 2014

Insurers

Ageas
Ageas has appointed Cathy Taylor as commercial underwriting and operations head. Taylor, who has previously worked at Aviva, Ecclesiastical and Direct Line Group, replaces Roy Watkinson, who is to retire at the end of the year. She can be reached at cathy.taylor@ageas.co.uk or on 01452 626554  or 07467955216.

Altitude Risk Partners
Aviation and space underwriter Altitude Risk Partners has appointed former broker Charles Hollingworth as an aerospace underwriter. Hollingworth joins from Aon Risk Solutions, where he was a products and aerospace broker. He will work with the London‑based team to develop and underwrite Altitude’s portfolio of worldwide aerospace risks. He can be contacted on charles@altituderiskpartners.com or 0203 023 3210.

QBE
QBE Europe’s head of UK casualty claims Donna Willis has left the insurer after
three-and-a-half years in the role. Willis joined QBE in January 2011 following a
15-year stint at Axa, where she latterly served as liability claims operational manager from January 2007 to April 2010 and as head of travel, creditor and lifestyle claims from April 2010 to December 2010.

RAC
RAC has recruited the president of the Confederation of British Industry as its new chairman as it readies plans to enter the London Stock Exchange. Sir Michael Rake is also currently deputy chairman of Barclays Bank and has previously served as chairman of KPMG International and BT Group. Current chairman Rob Templeman will take on a non‑executive role, remaining on the company board.

Brokers

Arthur J Gallagher
Arthur J Gallagher’s chief underwriting officer Sian Fisher has resigned and will exit the broker in mid-October. Fisher joined Gallagher in 2008 as part of the acquisition of Oxygen Insurance Managers, later OIM Underwriting, where she served as managing director. Fisher’s responsibilities will be folded into Adrian Brown’s underwriting and distribution business units.

Keelan Westall
Keelan Westall managing director Wayne Tonge has resigned from his post to pursue other interests. Gallagher acquired the business in May 2013 as part of its purchase of the property and commercial interests of Barbon Insurance Group. The Keelan Westall team is now led by head of underwriting and development Caroline King. She is supported by Simon Perry, who leads the real estate division of Pen Underwriting, the collective brand for Gallagher’s 10 UK managing general agents.

Marsh
Marsh has appointed Mike Spencer to the role of senior global construction specialist. Based in London, Spencer will be responsible for services and advice provided to the broker’s global construction clients. He joins Marsh from RSA, where he held a variety of roles, including global head of construction and chief underwriting officer for Asia and the Middle East.

Service providers

Innovation Group
The former chief executive and founder of LAS has departed the business less than six months after it was acquired by Innovation Group. Darren Cooper launched the business in 2006, and agreed a £35m sale to Innovation Group earlier this year. Cooper’s former unit will now fall under the leadership of Robert Sharpe, who previously helmed dry perils. Sharpe will additionally take on a new role as chief operating officer.

Xchanging
Xchanging has appointed Nick Lamb as broking director and Xchanging Broking Services managing director. Lamb will oversee the entire broking business, including taking on responsibility for growth.

This article was published in the 11 September edition of Post magazine.