Job Moves and Senior Hires 25.07.2023

It’s time for another Job Moves and Senior Hires round up. This will be the last one untiol late August, as the summer holidays kick into gear. OK, let’s get to it;

HSB

Specialist engineering and technology insurer, HSB, has strengthened its broker proposition following the appointment of Stacey Sheridan as Network Relationship Manager. Sheridan, who joined HSB in 2019, has been promoted from her previous Business Development role where she managed relationships with brokers in the Northwest of England. Reporting to HSB’s Head of Sales, Ian Fox, Sheridan will be responsible for onboarding new network partners and for nurturing and strengthening relationships with HSB’s existing portfolio of key network partners to maximise business opportunities.

Stacey Sheridan brings distinct experience to HSB Sheridan has over 20 years of insurance industry experience, including several years in broker-facing roles for Broker Network and Ten Insurance Services. Prior to that, Sheridan has held various broking roles in the Northwest market. Ian Fox, Head of Sales at HSB, commented: “Working closely with broker networks to create additional value and opportunities is one of our key distribution strategies at HSB. As such, Stacey’s promotion underlines our commitment and focus to deliver the best possible service to networks to cement long-term relationships and drive mutual growth.”

WOODGATE AND CLARK

Loss adjuster, Woodgate & Clark has reaffirmed its commitment to protect insurers from the ever-increasing risk of fraud with the appointment of Sarah Durkin, one of the most highly qualified counter fraud and investigations experts in the sector, as Head of Counter Fraud, leading its award winning counter fraud team.

An accredited investigator and counter fraud specialist, Sarah has worked for Woodgate & Clark since 2021, when she joined the business from Sedgwick. Since this time, Sarah has played a key role in uncovering complex fraud cases, including a series of fires at cannabis farms. Starting her career in Thames Valley Police, almost 3 decades ago, Sarah brings extensive experience in fraud investigations, harnessing her knowledge of civil and criminal legislation as they relate to insurance claims. Sarah is also ACILA qualified, achieving the institute prize in 2018.

CHARLES TAYLOR ADJUSTING

Charles Taylor Adjusting, a leading international loss adjusting business, is pleased to announce the appointment of respected industry veteran, Stephen Thorpe, to a key leadership role within the new Charles Taylor regional hub in Singapore. This strategic move aims to enhance the company’s presence in the Asia Pacific region while reaffirming its dedication to its valued clients in Australia.

Effective 1 July 2023, Stephen Thorpe will commence as Managing Director (Asia) – Property, Casualty, Special Technical Risks in addition to his existing role as Managing Director (Global) – Natural Resources. In this hybrid role, Stephen will split his time between Australia and Singapore as he continues his work with global natural resources clients.

With over 35 years’ loss adjusting experience, Stephen specialises in finding timely and efficient solutions to significant and complex losses in the mining, onshore natural resources, transport, engineering and construction industry sectors. Now he will bring this wealth of experience to benefit our clients throughout Asia.

SWISS RE

Marc Ross has been confirmed as new Head Property & Specialty Canada for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. Marc’s appointment will be effective September 1, aligning with the date I assume the role of Head Canada for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions.

In this leadership role, Marc will be responsible for the General Property, Energy Property and Engineering & Construction portfolios in Canada. Under his leadership, I am confident that the Property & Specialty team in Canada will continue to deliver for our brokers and customers through a strong focus on innovation, solution-driven customer engagement, and local market expertise.  Based out of Toronto, Marc will join the Canadian management team.

Marc joined Swiss Re in 2019 and most recently served as Team Lead Property, Central & Eastern Canada. Prior to this, he held various positions with Munich Re (Temple Insurance), including Director of Property & Engineering Risks.

MARSH

Marsh has announced that Pat Donnelly has been appointed as President, Marsh Specialty and Global Placement, effective immediately. Mr. Donnelly will continue to be based in Chicago and reports to Martin South, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marsh.

In this role, Mr. Donnelly will oversee Marsh Specialty’s global business, which includes the specialties of Aviation, Construction, Credit Specialties, Energy & Power, Financial and Professional Lines (FINPRO), Marine & Cargo, and Private Equities, Mergers and Acquisitions (PEMA). His responsibilities also include Marsh’s Global Placement capabilities, with responsibility for all retail and international placement hubs, Portfolio Solutions and Insurer Consulting, Climate and Sustainability, Captive Solutions, and Claims.

KENNEDYS

Global law firm Kennedys has added to its growing corporate and commercial practice with the appointment of partner Adam Longney.

Adam, who joins from Reed Smith, has over 18 years’ experience advising borrowers, financiers, lessors and lessees on a broad spectrum of domestic and international financing and leasing transactions, with particular expertise in the acquisition, financing, leasing and disposal of aircraft and other non-aviation equipment, general commercial agreements and receivables financing.

Adam, who will be based in the firm’s London office in the iconic ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, says: “I’ve been impressed with the way Kennedys has expanded its corporate and commercial offering, complementing its heartland insurance practice. With the firm’s renowned aviation practice, this move presents an exciting opportunity for me to utilise my transactional expertise advising airlines, lessors, financiers and other aviation stakeholders, and expand the range of services that the firm can provide its clients.”

CANOPIUS

Canopius, a leading global specialty (re)insurer, has appointed Lewis Gayle as Underwriter – Cyber and Technology, reporting to Michael Shen, Head of Cyber and Technology, London. Lewis joins with immediate effect, bringing Canopius’ rapidly expanding cyber division to 36 employees, including 10 new hires since the start of the year, marking an increase of 38% in just over 6 months.

Lewis brings five years of London market experience to Canopius, having previously held underwriting and claims adjustment roles at CFC Underwriting. Before this, he was a Claims Advocate at Marsh, an Assistant Underwriter at QBE and a Junior Claims Advocate at Willis Towers Watson.                                                                    

Lewis is the latest in a series of hires for Canopius’ cyber team this year, including:

·       Isabel Finn as Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst in July, to launch Canopius’ in-house cyber threat consultancy;

·       Nine new hires to launch Canopius’ dedicated global Cyber Incident Management Team (CIMT) in June.

VISTA

Manchester based Vista Insurance Brokers Limited is currently celebrating two internal promotions to their newly formed executive team. Ross Hayden, Head of Corporate has been promoted to Director of Corporate alongside Richard Whitham, (PICTURED) currently Head of Creative (South) to Director of Schemes and Affinity Partnerships.

These new promotions come as a result of continued growth within the company and in recognition of their support and commitment over many years to Vista. Both will be welcomed to the newly formed Executive Team, including June Hibbins Ball (COO), Peter Warburton (Director), Vaughan Rudd (Director), Peter Rusby (CFO) and Gavin Ruben (CEO).

Richard will be driving Vista’s schemes proposition across hospitality, creative and affinities including NWLA (Northwest Landlords Association) with expansion into new areas as part of the wider strategy, while Ross Hayden’s new role will see him take charge of the Corporate department as a result of an uptake of corporate clients and employees within the business. Significant investment into schemes software and systems over the next year is part of Vista’s vision and these appointments will help drive growth for the company across various sectors within the business.

GSP

Gateley Smithers Purslow (GSP) has bolstered its well-established specialist forensic and expert witness team with the appointment of Keith Hilton as a senior building surveyor. GSP’s forensic and expert witness team provides a wide range of surveying, engineering and architectural expertise for dispute and litigation matters. One of the team’s key specialisms is providing accommodation reports in personal injury and medical negligence cases.