Every now and then IE mag likes to round-up those latest senior hires and appointments releases. Tough job, but someone has to do it.
CREDIT HIRE ASSOCIATION
Lucy Woods, chief executive of AX Group, has been appointed chair of the Board of the Credit Hire Association (CHO), following Kirsty McKno, who stepped down in November. Peter Gomes, currently head of business at the trade body, has been appointed interim chief executive. Lucy will chair the newly-created CHO Board, whose purpose will be to set strategy for the CHO and work to improve member benefits. Board members are senior figures from across the credit hire industry.
The CHO was first formed in 2010 from a merger of the Accident Management Association (AMA) and the National Association of Credit Hire Organisations (NACHO).
Lucy said: “The Board thank Kirsty for her service to the industry and look forward to building on her legacy. The credit hire sector provides an invaluable service to consumers needing mobility after a road traffic accident and as we prepare for the future of the industry and the challenges it faces over coming years I want the Board to play an active and constructive role in identifying strategies that strengthen the industry and its professionalism.”
She explained that despite CHO members helping hundreds of thousands of consumers every year, credit hire, and the value it brings to consumers, the industry is little understood by the public, the media and politicians.
“We want to address that,” she said, adding: “In its investigation into credit hire that concluded in 2014, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that credit hire added around £3.50 to the overall cost of a motor policy.”
“For that £3.50, consumers involved in an accident can access an equivalent vehicle while their own is off the road. It means mums and dads can take their kids to school, or get to work, or do their shopping. It is a worthwhile price to pay for being able to lead a normal life in difficult circumstances, and our members are proud of their role in delivering this vital service.”
Lucy welcomed Peter Gomes’ appointment as interim CEO. She said: “Peter has done a good job as head of business for the CHO, and I’m delighted he has agreed to accept this position.
VICTOR INSURANCE
Victor Insurance, the world’s largest managing general underwriter (MGU), today announced the appointment of Richard Turner as International Head of Marine, effective immediately. In this newly created role, Mr. Turner will be responsible for driving Victor’s international marine business with a specific focus on innovative, data- and analytics-driven insurance products and solutions. Mr. Turner is based in London and reports to Anthony Stevens, President, Victor International.
Mr. Turner will remain in his role as President of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), of which he is the first British President in its 146-year history. He has previously held multiple senior roles at RSA Insurance Group plc, including CEO of RSA Luxembourg, Director of Global Risk Solutions Europe, and Global Marine Director.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Stevens said: “Richard is a proven global leader with deep underwriting and commercial experience across multiple classes of business. He brings an acumen in how technology, data and analytics can transform insurance and risk management, and I expect he will deliver value to Victor’s clients in the in the marine and cargo industry.”
STATE STREET CORPORATION
State Street Corporation recently announced it has appointed Christian Bongiovanni as the regional segment head for insurance in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Based in Milan, Bongiovanni is responsible for advancing the end-to-end service proposition for the firm’s insurance clients. He reports to Akhil Jain, global head of insurance and Jörg Ambrosius, head of EMEA.
Bongiovanni’s appointment is the latest in a series of enhancements State Street has made this year in support of its insurance clients spanning people, technology and more integrated solutions. Last month, State Street announced a business partnership with SimCorp to offer a fully integrated investment outsourcing solution for insurance clients in EMEA. The partnership, which will leverage State Street’s AlphaSM platform, provides insurance companies in the EMEA region with a premier servicing solution. It actively addresses operational efficiency and helps them deliver improved accuracy and timely, high-quality data for their front-to-back operations.
“As insurance companies continue to expand operations to support their growth agenda, they require a consolidated front-to-back operating model and a global provider with the required expertise that can cater to their needs,” said Ambrosius. “With our strong technology solutions and Christian’s broad international experience having worked for large insurers and their asset management units, our clients can focus on strengthening the capabilities that set their business apart to support differentiation and growth.”
FIRST CENTRAL
First Central Insurance and Technology Group has appointed Richard Marino as Chief Governance Officer. He will oversee the governance functions within the Group, reinforcing industry standards as the business continues its growth trajectory, which currently sees motor insurance policy numbers stand at over three quarters of a million customers across the UK.
Based in Haywards Heath, Richard will manage the risk and compliance and internal audit function, as well as oversee the legal and company secretarial teams. Reporting into CEO, Michael Lee, Richard will sit on a number of the Group’s Boards, adopting extensive managerial, legal and reporting responsibilities.
Richard brings over 17 years of insurance and legal expertise across global and European markets. He joins from AmTrust International, the US-owned insurance group, where he served as General Counsel. During his time at AmTrust International, Richard managed the group’s key regulatory relationships, and oversaw a large programme of regulatory change initiatives, including Brexit and several portfolio transfers. Richard was also responsible for maintaining good governance practices, overseeing the company secretarial team, and sat on various Boards within the AmTrust International group as either Director or Company Secretary.
Prior to this, he held senior positions at Genworth Financial and RBS Insurance, and led legal teams overseeing the Direct Line and Churchill brands.
Richard Marino said of his appointment: “I’m excited to be joining First Central, a business I’ve always admired for its innovation and commitment to its customers.
ATRADIUS
Trade credit insurer Atradius has appointed Damien Dawson as its new Regional Manager for London and the South East.
Mr Dawson joins Atradius with more than 33 years’ experience in credit insurance, receivables management and broking industries. He will lead the Atradius team in the London and South East region, managing its existing portfolio and continuing to grow Atradius’ presence within the local market.
He said: “Atradius has a very good reputation in the industry and a key focus on customer service. I want to further strengthen Atradius’ close working relationships with brokers and customers to ensure that our service remains second to none. Open dialogue and collaboration with brokers is essential so that we can collectively offer customers the right support and stability during such an uncertain economic time.”
Prior to his appointment at Atradius, Mr Dawson’s most recent role was at Tokio Marine HHC Credit where he spent four years as head of new business and broker development. His past experience includes two stints at insurer Euler Hermes initially as assistant director and more recently as regional director as well as broker Marsh Trade Credit, latterly as practice leader.
RUSSELL SCANLON
Leading independent insurance broker, Russell Scanlan, has welcomed the Deputy President of Nottingham Insurance Institute on board as its new Commercial Manager.
The firm of 32, which is based in Wellington Circus in Nottingham City Centre, has appointed Joanne Marriott as Commercial Manager. Currently Deputy President of Nottingham Insurance Institute and set to become President in May 2021, Joanne has over 30 years of industry experience and is a well-connected and respected individual within the Nottingham insurance network.
Starting her career with a small insurance broker in Nottingham in 1989, Joanne began working in personal lines & small commercial insurance before moving over fully to the commercial side in 1998 and continuing with her career to reach the position of senior manager. Before joining Russell Scanlan, Joanne was working as Commercial and Claims Manager and Associate Director at AIPS in Mansfield. Having previously worked with Russell Scanlan Director, Simon Winiarski, he recognised that Joanne had the ideal credentials and experience for the new role at the business and was delighted when she was interested. CII qualified, Joanne has an enhanced understanding of insurance practice, both in technical subject matter and overall application skills. She brings with her a great deal of industry knowledge and experience.
Joanne said: “As soon as I stepped in the office, I knew Russell Scanlan was the place for me. Not only are they a very well-respected broker within the industry, but there is a real sense of team spirit within the office. It is nice to see a structured team, in a business that really invests in their staff and I am looking forward to helping them with that over the coming years.”
“I don’t think anyone can prepare you for starting a new job during the midst of a pandemic, but I have been made to feel very welcome since day one. Thanks to video conferencing platforms, I have been able to begin building a relationship with my team. I look forward to continue doing so in person when it is safe to do so.”
HOWDEN
Howden, the international insurance broker, announced that Ana Matarranz will join the group as Managing Director of the Employee Health and Benefits practice for Howden Iberia.
The appointment comes just months after the acquisition of Compensa, a leading flexible compensation and Human Resources consulting firm, which will now include Matarranz on its Board of Directors.
Matarranz said she was excited to join “a company with extraordinary financial strength, as demonstrated by its ambitious strategic plan to be the alternative of choice in Employee Benefits.”
Glenn Thomas, Global Practice Leader, Howden Employee Health and Benefits says: “Our belief has always been that to offer high-quality consultancy services, you need outstanding talent empowered by digital solutions and data analytics. Our acquisition of Compensa and today’s announcement about Ana joining the team is truly that strategy in action. And it’s working – this approach has helped us treble our Employee Health and Benefits business over the past three years and build an international footprint with EB specialists in over 20 countries.”
José Manuel González, CEO, Howden Broking says: “Our intention is to help our clients adapt to the world as it changes. Building a compelling EB proposition and helping our clients look after their people in these challenging times and beyond really is core to delivering on that promise; not to mention, as a proudly “People First” business, it feels like an authentic space for us to occupy.”
Matarranz has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance sector, having developed her career in Mapfre, Caser and Willis Towers Watson, with positions including General Manager of Willis Iberia, Head of Health & Benefits for Western Europe.
In 2019, she was named Person of the Year by the Association of Young Insurance Professionals.
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