It’s time for another senior appointments news round-up, so let’s get started;
NPA INSURANCE
Industry stalwart Nick Dinsdale has been appointed as Director of Underwriting at pharmacy insurance specialist NPA Insurance and its niche commercial brand, Peach Pi. Dinsdale has been in the UK Commercial insurance market for over thirty years, holding positions at RSA, QBE and latterly Covea Insurance, where he was Director of Commercial Underwriting.
Dinsdale is joining the team at a pivotal time for both areas of the business. The Pharmacy sector is fast evolving; January 2024 saw the launch of Pharmacy First, with thousands of NPAI members adopting enhanced primary care responsibilities as part of the NHS’s recovery plan to provide patients with better access to healthcare. Lisa Banks, MD of Pharmacy at NPAI, explains:
“With this increased responsibility comes enhanced risk, and this latest change is further evidence that having the right insurance in place across all of the business and professional risks our members face is critical. For NPAI, that means understanding our members’ inherent and emerging vulnerabilities and constantly reviewing our covers to support them in the most comprehensive way. Nick’s broad experience of leading teams across operations and governance, risk management, reinsurance and claims will be invaluable as we support our members through the full spectrum of the risks they face.”
GILC WELCOMES NEW FIRM
Global Insurance Law Connect (GILC) announces that leading Greek law firm Kyriakides Georgopoulos, with offices in Athens and Thessaloniki, has become the latest member of the GILC legal network. The firm is the 25th member of the network, with coverage across 28 global jurisdictions.
Kyriakides Georgopoulos (KG Law Firm) is the largest law firm in Greece, with 114 lawyers. Established 85 years ago by Kyriakos Kyriakides, it became a partnership in 1979. It is now an international multi-practice law firm servicing clients across Greece, Europe and globally.
Gillian Davidson, Chair of Global Insurance Law Connect and Partner at Sparke Helmore, commented: “Kyriakides Georgopoulos is a leading law firm that is at the forefront of developments in the Greek legal market. The firm’s insurance experts possess significant knowledge of the sector, advising insurance and reinsurance carriers, intermediaries, and insureds on a variety of regulatory and other matters. I am delighted to have Kyriakides Georgopoulos on board, as it allows for further expansion of the network across Europe and adds immense value to our clients around the globe.”
OPTIO
Optio Group, the specialty MGA, announces the appointment of Heather Goodhew as an independent non-executive director (INED).
Goodhew brings a wealth of operational and risk experience to Optio, having held senior positions in re/insurance for over three decades. She serves as an INED for DUAL and for Else Holdings Ltd. She has previously held leadership roles at Aspen Insurance including deputy group COO, Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd, CUO (Reinsurance) and executive director for AIUK, and managing director, AsiaPac and Middle East for Aspen Re.
Matthew Fosh, executive chairman, Optio, said: “I am delighted that Heather is joining us as an independent non-executive director at Optio. Her broad underwriting experience and her understanding of MGA multiclass business will be invaluable as Optio continues its growth in the UK and internationally.”
GALLAGHER BASSETT
Gallagher Bassett (GB), a leading UK provider of claims and risk management solutions, has announced several new appointments to better serve our employees and our clients, while driving sustainable growth.
John Fearn, GB’s current Chief Client Officer, will be promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In his new position, John will play a crucial role in driving operational excellence and fostering collaboration among the various business units within GB. Richard Fearn, the current Head of TPA, will be promoted to deputy Chief Operating Officer.
In addition to these promotions, GB is pleased to welcome Andrew Parker as the new Director of TPA and Simon Hoskin as the new Director of Travel, Accident and Health. Both Andrew and Simon will join the Executive Team, bringing their expertise and unique perspectives to their respective roles. Their appointments reflect GB’s commitment to attracting top talent and leveraging their skills to drive the company’s growth.
ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL
Allianz Commercial has tannounced the appointment of Alex Ktenidis to a senior leadership position as director of digital trading and Allianz Legal Protection (ALP). In his new role, which is effective immediately, Alex will be responsible for leading the profitable growth of both our digital trading and legal protection businesses.
Alex has been with Allianz since 2014 and has held a number of leadership roles across distribution, corporate strategy and transformation for both domestic and global business units. Most recently, he worked in Munich as Strategic Transformation Leader delivering Allianz Commercial globally, building our strengthened go-to-market strategy for mid-sized businesses, large enterprises, and specialist risks.
MORE ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL
Allianz Commercial also confirms a key appointment to its global Specialty leadership team taking effect immediately. Rich Soja, currently Head of Inland Marine/Regional Head of Marine North America, is appointed as Global Head of Marine reporting to Gordon Browne, Global Head of Specialty. Soja will continue to oversee his Regional North America and Inland Marine responsibilities until a successor is confirmed at a later date.
With over 35 years’ experience in Marine insurance, Rich Soja has been with Allianz Commercial in his current leadership role since 2017. Prior to joining Allianz Group, he was in increasingly senior Marine underwriting roles for Chubb, Aspen Insurance, and Tokio Marine.
ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN LP
AllianceBernstein L.P. (“AB”), a leading global investment firm with $759 billion in assets under management, has announced Geoff Cornell will join the firm as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Insurance, leading the firm’s new vertical dedicated to insurance companies.
As the firm’s first-ever CIO of Insurance, Mr. Cornell will be responsible for developing and executing the continued build out of AB’s Insurance business. Mr. Cornell will oversee the insurance investment function, lead AB’s insurance client team and efforts, and ensure a robust set of insurance product solutions across asset classes. He will also direct business development efforts with prospective clients around the world.
“Today’s announcement marks another milestone in the continued expansion of AB’s integrated global insurance investment management business,” said AB’s Head of Global Client Group and Head of Private Wealth Onur Erzan. “I look forward to working closely with Geoff across the full spectrum of client opportunities we are seeing in the marketplace, including single mandates, outsourced investment management, and strategic partnerships. Geoff’s first-hand experience in managing large insurance general accounts across public and private asset classes, combined with his thirty years of extensive industry knowledge, will add significantly to AB’s longstanding track record in insurance investments.”
SCHRODERS
Schroders Capital, the specialist private markets division of the Schroders Group, announces the expansion of its Private Debt and Credit Alternatives (PDCA) business with two senior appointments.
Following the merger of the firm’s private debt and alternative credit strategies onto a shared platform last year, these hires reflect the strong client demand for income and income alternatives.
Jason Kezelman, CFA has joined the firm as Head of US PDCA Sales within Schroders Client Group. He will represent PDCA across US markets and is responsible for developing and expanding new business opportunities with existing clients and prospects. Jason will report to Tiffani Potesta, Head of US Client Group and will be based in California.
Loren Sageser has joined the PDCA team as Senior Product Strategist. In this role Loren will work closely with the investment teams and business development to deliver client communication and education for our private debt and credit alternatives strategies. Loren will report to Nick Pont, Head of Global Business Development, PDCA and will be based in California.
ARYZA GROUP
Aryza Group, a leading provider of financial software solutions, announces the appointments of two new Non-Executive Directors, Michael McAteer and Tamara McMillen.
Michael brings broad experience from Grant Thornton across a range of accounting and financial restructuring disciplines, advising Irish and cross border businesses on best practices in the retail, leisure, construction and IT sectors.
Michael is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), and a Member of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies – Ireland. Since stepping down as Managing Partner at Grant Thorton, Michael has board positions at Nostra Technologies, one of Irelands leading IT managed Services providers and Easygo, Irelands largest privately owned EV charging Infrastructure company.
UPFORT
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