We thought it was about time we had a round-up of senior appointments and industry moves. We do get lots of appointments news and struggle to fit them all in, but if you have an announcement you are welcome to email anytime of course; editorial@insurance-edge.net
Phoenix Group
Andy Curran is joining as CEO Savings and Retirement, UK and Europe and Group Director Scotland, and Claire Hawkins is promoted to the role of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Director.
After more than 10 years with Phoenix Group, and over 30 years in the life and pensions sector, Susan McInnes is to retire from her role as CEO of Standard Life Assurance and Group Director for Phoenix’s Open business later this year.
Andy Curran brings more than 30 years of life and pensions experience – most recently as MD Corporate, Aviva UK Insurance, accountable for Aviva’s UK Corporate businesses. He was previously UK CEO for Friends Life as well as holding senior roles at Prudential.
Andy will be based in Edinburgh and take on the role of CEO Savings and Retirement, UK and Europe, as well as the Group Director Scotland role.
Separately, Claire Hawkins has been promoted with immediate effect into an expanded role of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Director, with responsibility for Phoenix’s external relations activity, including the Group’s Sustainability strategy.
In almost 20 years working for Phoenix companies, she has led a number of transformational projects and significantly enhanced investors’ understanding of the Group and its strategy, notably contributing to Phoenix’s success in joining the FTSE100 index in 2019.
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual Re (LM Re), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has appointed Sara Steiner (pictured) to the role of Vice President and Director of Assumed Reinsurance. Sara is based in LM Re’s office in Stamford, Connecticut and reports to Thomas Greene, LM Re’s Head of Casualty – Reinsurance. She joins with immediate effect and is responsible for all aspects of the production and underwriting of LM Re’s broad portfolio of treaty casualty accounts. In addition, she will work closely with brokers to develop customized reinsurance solutions for clients.
“Sara is a valuable addition to our Stamford team as she brings a wealth of casualty treaty experience with her,” said Thomas Greene, Head of Casualty – Reinsurance at Liberty Mutual Re. “She adds further depth to our already strong staff, and helps expand our presence in the US Casualty and Professional Liability reinsurance marketplaces. I am looking forward to working with Sara to serve our clients and brokers.”
Sara was most recently with RenaissanceRe, where she was Vice President, Casualty Treaty Underwriting.
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has also appointed Scott Mackie to the role of Director of Assumed Reinsurance – Property. Most recently Senior Property Underwriter for Treaty with AXA XL, Scott will be based in Stamford, Connecticut and will report to Richard Mairano, Liberty Mutual Re’s SVP Property Treaty.
Taking up his new role on 8 June, Scott will be responsible for managing the underwriting of US property risk and pro-rata business.
Scott Mackie has 18 years’ experience in the reinsurance industry. Following underwriting roles with Wellington Underwriting, Swiss Re and Montpelier, he joined XL Catlin in Boston as Property Facultative Senior Underwriter in 2010. Six years later, he moved to AXA XL in Stamford as Property Treaty Senior Underwriter.
DWF Legal
DWF, the global legal business, has recruited Nicola Critchley and two other senior members of Horwich Farrelly’s costs team, to DWF’s costs business and Insurance division.
Nicola Critchley will join DWF this month, followed by Anna Poynton and Rob Bennett who will arrive in September 2020. The team will join DWF Costs (part of the Connected Services division) but will also have an additional remit in DWF’s Insurance division.
Nicola has extensive litigation experience, having previously been the Head of Costs at Horwich Farrelly. She is also a member of the Civil Justice Council (CJC) and sits on the Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC). In addition to this, Nicola will bring great experience to DWF’s Insurance division through her broad Insurance knowledge and position on the Forum of Insurance Lawyers’ (FOIL) National Committee.
Munich Re
Rob McAdams will be joining the Munich Re Syndicate as Head of Marine. Based in London, he will oversee the global Syndicate’s well-established Marine portfolio and help drive the underwriting business across Cargo, Fine Art & Specie, Hull, Yacht, and War, with a focus on providing clients with comprehensive and competitive risk solutions.
Rob has been a transformative leader in the insurance industry, in terms of both client management and financial results, and joins Munich Re Syndicate with over 20 years of experience. Previously, Rob was the Global Marine Chief Underwriting Officer at AXA XL, where he led the underwriting team in the development, execution and accountability of the financial and operational plans across multiple legal entities (including Lloyd’s), products and geographies.
Rob takes over from Simon Parnell who will begin retirement, following an exemplary 21 years at the Syndicate. Munich Re Syndicate thanks Simon for all he has achieved and contributed to the firm during his tenure.
Markel UK
Markel has made two new appointments, boosting its business development and underwriting functions, and strengthening the company’s presence in the South of England and Wales.
Simon Marriott will lead the business development function in the South West and South Wales region with responsibility for accelerating the growth of an already successful team and building on strong existing broker relationships. Simon joins from RSA, where he was a regional manager for the past six years, having previously also worked at NIG and AXA. With previous roles in sales, leadership and underwriting, Simon has extensive knowledge of the region’s insurance community and was a past president of the Cardiff CII.
Vishal Patel joins as a senior underwriter to lead the development of Markel’s technology and life sciences product in the South. Previous engagements have seen Vishal working both as a broker and underwriter specialising in life sciences.
Commenting on the appointments, Mark Lowther, Markel’s Regional Manager – South said: “We are delighted to be expanding the team further by welcoming Simon and Vishal, both of whom bring vast knowledge, experience and connections to the business. Markel has a tremendous broker panel in the South and Wales region and these appointments will be a further boost as we look to grow the business over the next few years.”
Allianz
Allianz Insurance has announced the new appointment of Chris Skolsky to the role of technical claims manager, casualty.
Chris joined Allianz in 2006, starting as a claims assistant, motor. Prior to his new appointment, he held the position of claims specialist. Now reporting to head of casualty claims, Mark Merrix, Chris will be responsible for the claims technical strategy, technical development and performance of Allianz’s casualty claims handling centre.
Throughout his time with the business, Chris was a part of the Disease & Run Off team, acting as a deputy team leader, and training and quality controller. He crafted and defined Allianz’s Disease Quality Programme and successfully digitalised many of the team’s processes.
Mark Merrix, head of casualty claims, Allianz Insurance, commented: ‘Chris has a very impressive record during his time at Allianz and I’m delighted to announce his appointment. I have no doubt that his experience and knowledge of the business will bring invaluable expertise to the team.’
Horwich Farrelly
Leading specialist insurance industry law firm Horwich Farrelly’s plan to transform its costs’ department has finally come to fruition with the appointment of the hotly pursued Paul McCarthy as Partner and Head of Costs.
With more than 15 years’ experience in the costs industry, and having dealt with both sides of the litigation divide, Paul is highly skilled in areas such as costs management, advocacy, detailed assessment and catastrophic injury. His role will be to lead, transform and grow Horwich Farrelly’s costs’ department.
His most recent role was as Partner and Head of Commercial Operations at CFG Law where, as well as being a member of the firm’s Senior Leadership Team, he built a dynamic costs’ team focussing on serious and catastrophic injury work. To further acclaim Paul is also a non-executive director on the Costs Lawyers Standards Board, a position he will continue to hold in his new role.
Willis Towers
Willis Towers Watson announced the appointment of Matt Foote as a senior director of Science & Analytics in its Climate and Resilience Hub, based in London.
In this role, Foote will focus on integrating climate information and expertise into the risk management and decision-making systems of public and private sector financial institutions. This is in response to new regulatory and investor requirements such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and a new generation of stress tests and policies facing banks, re/insurers and asset managers.
Foote joins from the World Bank’s Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance Programme, which supports governments to manage and finance their sovereign risks to major shocks. Previously he held senior roles at Mitsui Sumitomo’s Lloyd’s Syndicate 3210 and Argo Group, modelling and managing their exposures to major risks and interacting with reinsurers, investors, regulators and credit rating agencies. Prior to this he worked at catastrophe risk modelling firm RMS, where he led their work with regulators and clients during the implementation of the Solvency II reforms.
FCA
HM Treasury recently announced the appointment of Nikhil Rathi as the new permanent Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Nikhil is currently the Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange plc. From September 2009 to April 2014, he was Director, Financial Services Group at HM Treasury. In this role, he led the Treasury’s work on the UK’s EU and international financial services interests. Nikhil is expected to take up the role in the Autumn.
Nikhil Rathi said:
“I am honoured to be appointed Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority. I look forward to building on the strong legacy of Andrew Bailey and the exceptional leadership of Christopher Woolard and the FCA Executive team during the crisis. FCA colleagues can be very proud of their achievements in supporting consumers and the economy in all parts of the UK in recent months.
“In the years ahead, we will create together an even more diverse organisation, supporting the recovery with a special focus on vulnerable consumers, embracing new technology, playing our part in tackling climate change, enforcing high standards and ensuring the UK is a thought leader in international regulatory discussions.”
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