It’s time once again for a round up of the latest senior appointments;
BMS RE
BMS Re, the specialty reinsurance arm of global broker BMS Group, today announces the appointment of Anthony Mirabal as CEO of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Division, effective November 2024.
Mirabal has more than 30 years’ experience in reinsurance, first as a casualty underwriter with Gen Re, and then in underwriting, production and management roles with a number of prominent reinsurance businesses in the region such as ERC and EWB before successfully developing his own reinsurance intermediary (RRISC) based in Miami in 2001 – a business which was subsequently acquired by JLTRe in late 2016 and which lead to his recent 6 year tenure at Guy Carpenter since the acquisition of the JLT Group in 2018 by MMC.
BMS Re also announces the appointment of Brad Melvin as president and chief executive officer, BMS Re, US, effective from November. Melvin will report to Group CEO Nick Cook.
Melvin will lead BMS Re US operations with a focus on delivering strategic goals and driving growth across its MGA, regional specialty, facultative reinsurance, healthcare and capital solutions and advisory lines.
ZURICH COMMERCIAL
Zurich Insurance Company (Singapore) Ltd. (“Zurich Singapore”) announces key leadership appointments to its Asia Pacific Commercial Insurance business. Based in Singapore, Robin Cooper-Driver has been appointed as Head of Financial Lines, Asia Pacific, and Edward Rayfield will join Zurich as Head of Casualty, Asia Pacific.
Mr. Cooper-Driver and Mr. Rayfield will oversee the performance and growth of Zurich’s Financial Lines and Casualty portfolios across the Asia Pacific and work closely with in-country teams to support and develop underwriting capabilities and execute on strategic priorities.
Mr. Liam Burrell, CEO Singapore & Head of Commercial Insurance, Asia, Zurich, said: “I am very pleased to have professionals of Robin and Edward’s calibre join the Zurich Commercial Insurance leadership team based in Singapore. Their deep technical knowledge, geographic experience and strong market relationships will be instrumental in delivering leading solutions to our brokers and customers as well as driving profitable growth through underwriting excellence across our Asia Pacific businesses.”
CFC
CFC, the specialist insurance provider, pioneer in emerging risk and market leader in cyber, announced today that Kathryn Herrington has joined the business as Chief People Officer.
“As our team of incredibly talented individuals continues to grow around the world, we are committed to creating an environment in which they can thrive,” said Louise O’Shea, Group CEO, CFC. “I am delighted to welcome Kathryn to our executive team, ensuring we deliver on this commitment and supporting CFC leaders across the world to drive our people-focused initiatives throughout the business.
“Kathryn is passionate about the role HR can play in helping drive organisational outcomes through an effective talent strategy, great leadership development and a focus on culture. She cares deeply about people and will bring valuable expertise that ensures our people continue to love what they do as part of CFC’s exciting growth journey”.
CFC also announces the promotion of Philippa Berry (above) to the newly created role of Head of Portfolio Partnerships.
In addition to arranging reinsurance for CFC’s cyber business and managing relationships with key stakeholders including capacity providers, Berry will be responsible for driving the development of CFC’s new white-label cyber proposition globally.
“It’s no secret that cyber penetration rates outside the US remain low. While that is changing, it’s not changing fast enough and we believe that the industry needs to seize the initiative to bring proactive cyber solutions to markets around the world,” said Andy Holmes, CEO at CFC. “We believe there is tremendous potential to increase uptake of standalone cyber in markets where it is underpenetrated by working with existing insurance companies already in those markets. Philippa has huge knowledge of and experience in the global cyber market and is perfectly positioned to drive the development of this new proposition for our business.”
MCGILL AND PARTNERS
McGill and Partners, the independent global specialty insurance and reinsurance broker, is delighted to announce the appointment of Nick Williams-Walker as Group Chief Operating Officer, with effect from 23 September 2024.
Nick joins McGill and Partners from Gallagher where he has been COO of Alesco and Gallagher Specialty for five years. Prior to this Nick was at JLT for almost eight years as COO of JLT Specialty and was formerly at Aon for over 13 years in a series of senior operationally focussed leadership roles including an extended period in India overseeing the establishment of the Aon operations in the country. Nick also serves as the Chair of the Technical Group of the London Market Group’s Data Council.
Nick will succeed Stephen Cross in this role, who has been the firm’s acting Group COO since January 2022.
MYLO
Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK), a leading global data analytics and technology provider, today announced that Dorothy Kelly has been named vice president of innovation.
In this role, Kelly will lead the Verisk Innovation Accelerator and will partner with team members from across the business to bring new products to market, focusing on integrated solutions and product enhancements that meet the needs of clients and the industry. She will report to Yang Chen, head of corporate development and strategy.
QBE
QBE Canada has appointed Caroline Fenn to the newly created role of Multinational Underwriting Manager, reflecting its desire to attract clients needing multinational insurance placement solutions.
Throughout her underwriting career, Caroline has garnered experience placing challenging multinational risks. As Vice President and Underwriting Manager for Aon Risk Solutions, she looked after specialty lines. Most recently she was Assistant Vice President and Executive Underwriter at Liberty Mutual Canada.
In her new Toronto-based role as Underwriting Manager, Multinational for QBE Canada, Caroline will place or facilitate the placement of multinational programs across the various underwriting teams and product lines within the Canadian branch. She will also manage and oversee multinational placements across all lines of business where QBE Canada acts as the servicing office.
CAMBRIDGE MOBILE TELEMATICS
CMT is thrilled to announce Rima Khetab’s appointment as the Director of Sales for France and Benelux. With her extensive experience in international sales and partnership development for motor insurance and OEM ecosystems, Rima is a valuable addition to the CMT team. This appointment comes just three months after CMT announced new leadership in Italy, highlighting its commitment to growth and innovation in the European market.
CHUBB
Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) announced that Greg Giardiello is joining Chubb as Global Controller.
Giardiello will report to George Ohsiek, Vice President, Chubb Group and Chief Accounting Officer, and be based in Chubb’s Philadelphia office. As Global Controller, Giardiello succeeds Mong-Diep “Dee” Le, who was recently named Chubb’s Chief Auditor.
“Adding outside skills and perspectives to the deep knowledge and expertise in corporate finance and accounting that already flourish at Chubb makes us even stronger,” said Peter Enns, Executive Vice President, Chubb Group and Chief Financial Officer. “The strengths Greg has shown across his three decades in senior corporate finance roles complement those of our talented finance team.”
Giardiello joins Chubb from QBE Insurance Group, where he was Deputy Finance Chief Operating Officer.
FIERA CAPITAL
Allianz Partners, a world leader in insurance and assistance services, has announced two new senior appointments for its health line of business: Mariana Ishchuk as the new Global Head of Product Management & Innovation (PM&I), Health and Eric Buros as the Global Head of Finance, Health.
Mariana Ishchuk, (ABOVE) a senior insurance professional, with over 15 years of experience in the Life and Health insurance sector, has held several senior roles since joining Allianz Group over seven years ago. Most recently, Mariana acted as Head of Strategy and Network Management for Allianz Global Benefits (now part of Allianz Partners), where she was responsible for strategic steering and management of the relationship with network insurers. In her new role as Global Head of Product Management and Innovation (PM&I), Mariana will play an instrumental role in accelerating and implementing Allianz Partners’ strategic projects.
Eric Buros has been with Allianz Group for over 12 years where he has held several leadership positions. Eric’s experience at Allianz Partners includes leading the Global Planning & Controlling team and the CEO Office. Prior to joining Allianz Partners, Eric was a member of the Allianz Group Mergers & Acquisitions team. Eric brings a wealth of financial experience to his new role and will be critical in supporting the execution of the health strategy.
ASTA
Asta, the leading third-party managing agent at Lloyd’s, announces three significant additions to its senior management team to accommodate its expanding client base.
David Hopkins joins as deputy chief underwriting officer with Alex Poracchia being appointed as transformation director and Julie Flello as head of client management.
Joining last month, Hopkins brings 27 years of experience in the financial services sector, having most recently served as head of underwriting performance management at Westfield Specialty. Prior to this, he has held senior positions at Argo, Axis and Antares. Hopkins brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in strategic decision-making and actuarial expertise to his role as deputy CUO.
Hopkins’ appointment adds to a wave of senior appointments made earlier this year.
Poracchia joined Asta in early July, after serving as international insurance CFO and chief actuary at Everest for four years. Before his role at Everest, Poracchia was global CFO of Zurich Financial Services and was a partner at Deloitte for eight years. Poracchia will work alongside the senior management team, fostering innovation and helping to support Asta’s long term growth and success.
Joining as head of client management in April this year, Flello previously spent 12 years at Lloyd’s, with roles as survey and claims co-ordinator and, more recently, senior account manager, where she was responsible for maintaining the relationship between Lloyd’s and a broad portfolio of managing agents. Flello has held a variety of employee engagement and DEI committee positions, and is proficient in nurturing change and mentoring future talent. Her extensive market expertise built over 30 years will be instrumental in managing Asta’s expanding client base.
ACRISURE RE
Acrisure Re, the re/insurance division of global fintech leader Acrisure, today announces leadership changes within its international reinsurance division. Effective immediately, David Sowrey has been appointed Managing Director and Nigel Dane has assumed the role of Chairman of Acrisure Re’s International Treaty business. Both leaders are based in London and will continue to report directly to CEO, Simon Hedley.
As Managing Director of the International Treaty division, Sowrey continues to lead the reinsurance broking operations, bringing both continuity and an energised focus on leading Acrisure Re’s international reinsurance business. Since joining Acrisure Re in 2012, Sowrey has had a pivotal role in expanding the London platform. With a career deeply rooted in the London market, he brings extensive experience in property, casualty, multi-line reinsurance and retro classes of business. During his time at Acrisure Re, he has been involved in the development and placement of treaty reinsurance, Lloyd’s consortia and MGAs.
As Chairman of Acrisure Re’s International Treaty business, Dane will focus on developing and strengthening relationships with both new and existing clients and markets, further enhancing Acrisure Re’s partnerships with large and important cedants and reinsurers. Dane, who has been with Acrisure Re since 2002, when he established and led the London office, brings over 40 years of re/insurance industry expertise. His extensive experience spans multiple classes of business across both sides of the Atlantic.
RESILIENCE
Resilience, the leading cyber risk solutions company, has announced Rebecca Jones has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Jeremy Gittler has joined as Global Head of Claims. Both join Resilience as the company continues to experience strong growth and expand to serve enterprises with the largest and most complex types of cyber risks.
“As we continue to invest in our business, we are thrilled to bring senior leaders of Jeremy’s and Rebecca’s caliber on board,” said Vishaal “V8” Hariprasad, CEO and Co-Founder of Resilience. “They both bring deep experience and track records of exceptional results to help Resilience continue to build on the momentum we have achieved.”
“Jeremy shares our passion to ensure our claims team delivers not just best-in-class service, but also the innovation and technical depth that clients today need in handling their ever-complex cyber and tech E&O claims. Rebecca will help us scale our engineering teams as we continue to build out our Cyber Resilience software platform to help middle and large enterprises measure and manage their cyber risk,” he said.
COVER-MORE
Travel and speciality insurance provider, Cover-More Group, has appointed Ben Wooltorton as Managing Director of its UK business. Cover-More UK provides travel insurance, pet insurance, car hire insurance, gadget insurance and wedding insurance through direct-to-consumer brands and partnerships.
Cover-More UK was established in 1996 when Cover-More Group expanded its operations beyond Australia and New Zealand. Cover-More Group was acquired by Zurich in 2017.
ALLIANZ UK
Allianz UK has made a senior appointment to its growing personal lines business, hiring Graham Wright as managing director of home insurance.
Graham will start his new role in December, joining the UK personal lines leadership team reporting to Serge Raffard. He will work alongside Henry Topham, managing director Retail and Nicola George, managing director, Broker to deliver Allianz’s ambition to develop and grow its UK personal lines home insurance business.
Be the first to comment