Time for another job moves and senior appointments round-up, let’s get into it;
QBE
QBE Europe has appointed Stephen Johnson as Head of Trading for the South East region, effective from 1st January 2024. In the newly created role, Stephen will lead the regional underwriting teams in London and Chelmsford, engaging with broker partners and customers.
Johnson reports to Andy Fitzgerald, Director UK Regions for QBE Europe and takes on the role from the QBE Property team where he was Underwriting Manager, Commercial Property. He has more than 20 years of experience in the industry with previous roles at Chubb, RSA and Brit.
Andy Fitzgerald, Director UK Regions for QBE European Operations, said: “Stephen’s appointment completes the hiring of our Trading Heads across the UK regions and will further support our growth ambitions.
The South East is an important region and Stephen’s role will provide additional focus to trading with our broker partners and customers in this location.”
OAC
Leading actuarial consultancy OAC (part of the Broadstone Group) announces the appointment of highly experienced actuary Bharat Raj as Head of London Markets.
Bharat joins OAC’s Non-Life division to drive its continued growth in supporting the General Insurance market. He will take responsibility for OAC’s Lloyd’s and London Markets division, leading a team of actuarial, risk, finance and modelling experts to deliver market-leading solutions to OAC’s clients in this market segment. He will also oversee OAC’s software and intellectual property development initiatives in the division.
Bharat has spent the last two decades working within the insurance market. He joins OAC from his role as Associate Director at Grant Thornton, and has also previously worked at Munich Re, Liberty Mutual, ACE (now Chubb), Towers Perrin (now WTW) and Royal & Sun Alliance.
COALITION
Coalition, the world’s first Active Insurance provider designed to prevent digital risk before it strikes, has appointed Mark Bird, former police cybercrime unit Acting Sergeant, to lead Coalition’s affiliate incident response and cyber forensics organisation, Coalition Incident Response UK Ltd. (CIR).
Bird begins his new role as UK. CIR Lead this month. During his career, he spent 16 years with the West Midlands Police, investigating cybercrime in their specialist regional organised crime unit. He joins CIR from network security specialist Pragma, where he was Head of Incident Response.
Bird said: “I am very excited to be able to help Coalition’s policyholders in their moment of greatest need. Having experienced a range of high-pressure situations during my career, I take great pleasure in providing support and reassurance to clients during times of immense pressure. For hard-pressed businesses, cyber events can be immensely frustrating and stressful. Years of work can be undone by someone clicking on a malicious email. My job is to offer immediate support and guide clients back to business as usual.”
PREVISICO
Previsico, the live flood forecasting InsurTech, announces the appointment of Craig Deacon as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Craig brings a wealth of experience to the business, where he will be responsible for delivering on Previsico’s international growth and financial strategy, as well as overseeing future Investor Relations fundraising initiatives.
Craig specialises in financial strategy and planning, as well as working in investor-backed business. He brings many years of experience working with start-ups and SMEs, particularly across Hardware, Software, and Service models, which will be invaluable in driving Previsico’s next phase of growth.
“Previsico’s proven sustainable technology immediately caught my attention to help solve climate-related challenges, which is an area close to my heart. The business is at an exciting time in its journey with a powerful service offering that’s ripe for market expansion, both in the UK and internationally,” said Craig Deacon.
LOCKTON
Lockton, the world’s largest independent insurance broker, is proud to announces that Espen Rye Ellingsen, Espen Bjaarstad, Olav Botnen and Fredrik Mietle Holmstøen have joined the growing People Solutions team in Norway. They join from Aon Norway and take up their new roles with immediate effect.
Espen, Fredrik, Espen and Olav have decades of experience in senior industry roles and bring to Lockton creative thinking and an unmatched work ethic. They are doers who have a proven track record of improving client outcomes, using their strong expertise in implementing a range of bespoke health and benefits and pension solutions, and providing financial safety advisory and capital management.
These four senior hires are part of Lockton’s strategy to continue expanding its Nordic presence and follow the appointment of Øyvind Larsen who recently joined Lockton to lead its People Solutions business in Norway.
CANOPIUS
Canopius Group, a leading global specialty and P&C (re)insurer, announces the appointment of Matthew Crane as Head of UK Distribution. He takes up the newly created role with immediate effect and will also serve on the Canopius UK Executive Committee.
Crane will be responsible for enhancing Canopius’ relationships with its global brokers, regional distribution partners and strategic clients, supporting the business as it looks to realise new growth opportunities. Crane brings nearly two decades of senior market experience to Canopius. He joins most recently from PIB Group where he was CEO of Q Underwriting.
Crane spent 15 years at QBE, where he progressed to Managing Director UK and Ireland. Following from this, he served as CEO of AMWINS Global Risks where he oversaw the business’ London and Lloyd’s market, Europe, Asia and LatAm operations.
Mark Newman, UK Chief Executive Officer of Canopius said: “To continue the great momentum we are building, and to further realise our ambitions in the UK market, it’s important that we further deepen our relationships with our broking and distribution partners. By simplifying access to our syndicate’s capacity, and helping our partners understand and value our full product suite and expertise we can unlock additional new and profitable growth in areas where we have clear strengths.
“Matthew is the ideal hire to help us do this. He brings an exceptional track record of spearheading growth and is renowned throughout the UK market for his expertise.”
CFC
CFC, the specialist insurance provider, pioneer in emerging risk and market leader in cyber, announced recently that Dan Trueman has joined the business as Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO).
Current CUO Andy Holmes will be assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer.
“Dan’s expertise in innovation will add huge value to our business going forward. Innovation is in our DNA and runs through every class of business and every product we write. I have no doubt that he will play a pivotal role in helping CFC identify new niche areas where we can add value and work with our underwriters to ensure we write profitable and sustainable business” said Holmes. “Dan has also been a key figure in cyber for many years and his experience in this sector will clearly prove invaluable given our position as one of the world’s leading cyber markets.”
FLETCHERS
Fletchers Solicitors has appointed a new partner, Polly Herbert, to strengthen its catastrophic injury offering.
Polly, who joins the Group from Hugh James, has over 20 years’ experience supporting clients and their families who have suffered life changing injuries (both adults and children). She began her new role in December and reports to Caroline Morris, Director of Serious Injury.
Polly has also represented bereaved families as a result of road death and is a keen supporter of road safety charities, including training Police Family Liaison Officers on civil law and how best to support families affected by RTA deaths. She is also recognised as one of the few ‘Leading Individuals’ by Legal 500 and is an APIL accredited litigator.
Commenting on her new role, Polly said: “I’m delighted to join Fletchers at such an exciting time. The firm’s reputation in serious injury is second to none and I’m excited to be part of a growing and talented team with an excellent culture and great opportunities for professional development.”
FORESTERS
Dan Fortin, Foresters Financial Chair of the Board, announced today the appointment of Matt Berman as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Mr. Berman was named President of Foresters Financial US and Canada in March 2023. Earlier, he served as President, Foresters Financial US and, prior to that, as Chief Distribution Officer and President of the insurer’s former subsidiary, Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company (FLIAC).
Speaking on Mr. Berman’s appointment, Mr. Fortin said,
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to congratulate Matt on this well-earned appointment. We have the utmost confidence in Matt’s leadership – he has a deep understanding of our organization, values, and the ever-changing dynamics of our industry. Matt has accomplished a great deal during his tenure at Foresters; his contributions and guidance will continue to be invaluable to our future success. As Foresters celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, Matt will usher in a new era of innovation in the solutions we provide to our members and the advisors who serve them. ”
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