Time once again for the weekly round up of insurance sector job moves and senior appointments;
INSTANDA
Instanda are pleased to announce the appointment of Sakura Kawakami as our new Japan Country Manager. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance and technology sectors, Sakura is well-positioned to lead INSTANDA’s growth and innovation efforts in Japan.
Her leadership will be instrumental in driving our mission to transform the digital insurance landscape, providing tailored solutions that empower insurers and deliver value to customers across the region.
JENSTEN
Over the past four years Jensten has grown from being a franchise distribution network to become a leading UK insurance intermediary with established multi-channel distribution, including Lloyd’s and London Market Broking, and a significant underwriting business.
This transformation has been led by Alistair Hardie who joined the business in 2020 as Group CEO following the MBO, backed by Livingbridge, two years earlier. Today, having successfully achieved what he joined to do, Hardie announced that he is stepping down from the Jensten Group CEO role to allow him to pursue a number of non-executive opportunities elsewhere, something that the Jensten Group Board has supported him with over the past six months.
As part of succession planning Rob Organ was promoted to CEO Broking earlier this year and is now stepping up to Group CEO with immediate effect.
Organ, previously CEO of Bluefin Insurance Group, joined the Jensten Group board in September 2021 following the acquisition by Jensten of Tasker Insurance Group, the business he had acquired and grown following the sale of Bluefin to Marsh in 2017. The acquisition of Tasker was quoted at the time as being transformational, in part due to the leadership and succession capabilities it brought to Jensten.
MARSH
Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor and a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), has announced the appointment of Alistair Fraser to the newly-created role of International Corporate & Commercial Leader. Effective 1 January 2025, Mr. Fraser will report to Flavio Piccolomini, CEO, Marsh McLennan International, and continue to be based in London.
Alistair Brighton will succeed Mr. Fraser as CEO, Corporate & Commercial UK. Also effective 1 January, 2025 and subject to regulatory approval, Mr. Brighton will report to Chris Lay, CEO, Marsh McLennan UK and continue to be a member of Marsh’s UK Executive Committee.
As International Corporate & Commercial Leader, Mr. Fraser will focus on developing Marsh’s services and solutions for small and mid-market organisations across International, which includes Asia, Europe, India, Middle East and Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Pacific, and the UK. He will also work closely with leaders across Marsh McLennan to deliver tailored health and workplace benefits solutions according to client size, industry specialism and geographical reach.
OPTIO GROUP
Commercial property insurer FM has announced the appointment of Steve Wrinkle to senior vice president, strategy and business transformation.
In this newly created role, Wrinkle will be responsible for strategy formation and management, including leading FM’s portfolio of strategic initiatives. In addition, he will build and lead a new business transformation program to ensure the company maximizes the benefits of initiatives supporting its people, processes and technology.
“Steve brings the experience and insight to thoughtfully reimagine how FM can continue delivering innovative services and solutions that help our clients prepare for and flourish in a rapidly changing world,” said Randy Hodge, executive vice president, staff insurance operations at FM. “I am excited for him to take on this new role to support and enhance key initiatives for the future of our business.”
Wrinkle most recently served as operations senior vice president. His previous roles within FM include engineering and client service management, operations senior vice president and chemical operations manager.
ALTEA
Altea Insurance (Altea), the multi-class, multi-year Managing General Agent specialising in the healthcare and medical sectors, has appointed Holly Dixon as Senior Underwriter. She will report to Altea CEO, Carly Matson.
Holly joins Altea from Corvelia Underwriting, where she was Senior Medical Malpractice Underwriter. With over 13 years of experience in the industry, including a decade with Hiscox UK and roles at Omnyy LLP, Holly brings a wealth of expertise in both open market and delegated authority business.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Holly to the Altea team,” Matson said. “Holly’s unique blend of specialist medical malpractice knowledge and commercial combined experience, along with her expertise in sectors such as complex primary care, fertility, aesthetics, and surgical risks, will enable Altea to provide even greater insight and support to our brokers, partners and clients.
“As Altea moves into its second year as a specialist healthcare MGA, Holly’s contributions will be invaluable in shaping our future and elevating our service. Her addition to the team marks an exciting new chapter in our growth story.”
TOKIO MARINE
Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC) announces the appointment of Dan Browne as a Professional Indemnity (PI) Underwriter and Chloe Pitchford as a PI Development Underwriter.
Dan and Chloe will join TMHCC’s growing Professional Risk team with Dan based in London and Chloe in Manchester.
Dan brings with him 6 years of underwriting experience, specialising in professional indemnity, cyber and liability business. He will have a specific focus on business development within the London market.
Chloe joins with 7 years broking and underwriting experience. At TMHCC, she will be based in the Manchester office, focusing on growing the PI portfolio and taking responsibility for managing relationships with the company’s extensive broker network.
Dan and Chloe will be part of a TMHCC Professional Risk team that is market leading in their wealth of knowledge, expertise and years of combined experience. Their arrival not only bolsters TMHCC’s ability to manage a growing portfolio but also signifies the business’ commitment to delivering exceptional service and tailored risk solutions to support brokers and insureds.
Pool Re, Britain’s leading terrorism reinsurer, announces the appointment of Andrew Stark to the newly created role of head of underwriting, effective immediately.
Stark has joined Pool Re ahead of the April 2025 change from its current facultative obligatory treaty to an annual aggregate XOL treaty scheme. He will report to chief underwriting officer, Jonathan Gray.
Stark has most recently been conducting an expert peer review for the international property cat XL book at Chaucer. He has more than 20 years’ experience as a Lloyd’s underwriter and was previously head of property at Chord Re, with other roles at Lloyd’s syndicates including Barbican, Vibe and Markel.
Pool Re chief underwriting officer, Jonathan Gray, said: “We are pleased to welcome Andrew as the new head of underwriting. His extensive expertise in global treaty underwriting will be invaluable in supporting the transformation efforts as we navigate the changes to our reinsurance scheme, and continue to support the resilience of the UK economy.”
Stark added: “Pool Re plays a vital role in supporting the insurance market to help build national resilience against terrorism and I am delighted to join at such an exciting time. Supported by extremely talented underwriters, I look forward to working with Jonathan to ensure the success of the scheme and the positive impact the changes will have on members, customers and the terrorism insurance market.”
AEGIS
AEGIS Managing Agency Limited, managing agent of top-quartile Lloyd’s syndicate 1225 (AEGIS London), has appointed two new non-executive directors to its Board.
Martin Bride, former group Finance Director of Beazley plc, and Andrew Gibbs, former Chief Operations Officer for Partner Re, were appointed in September.
Tom Busher, Non-Executive Chairman of AEGIS London said: “Martin and Andrew are exceptional additions to our Board, building the scope and depth of our insurance sector expertise. Their insights will be invaluable.”
Prior to his time with Beazley plc, Martin Bride was Finance Director of Zurich UK’s life insurance business and held senior management positions at Aviva plc.
Andrew Gibbs was heavily involved with Bermuda-based insurance businesses including Chubb (formerly ACE) during its expansion to a Global Insurance and Reinsurance Group. He was also Director, Supervision (Insurance) of the Bermuda Monetary Authority and a partner with Ernst & Young.
BRACE UNDERWRITING
Brace Underwriting Limited (‘’Brace’’), the Beat Capital-backed, multi-line alternative risk specialist underwriter, today announces the appointment of Richard Wheeler as Senior Underwriter, effective immediately. He will be based in London and reports to Tom Sambrook, Head of Underwriting.
In his new role, Wheeler will tap his extensive knowledge of the international property sector and experience handling multi-line placements to further enhance Brace’s underwriting portfolio. He will also manage client engagement and portfolio optimisation to ensure all business aligns with the company’s underwriting strategy.
Wheeler brings more than 15 years of insurance experience to Brace. He previously worked as an underwriting data manager for Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM). He joined LSM as a senior business and strategic development underwriter in 2008, being promoted to his most recent role in 2022. Wheeler started his underwriting career as an underwriting assistant at Argenta Syndicate Management in 2004.
CBH BANKING
Swiss private banking group CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique announces the appointment of Enid Yip as the new CEO of its subsidiary CBH Asia. Mrs Yip will also lead the Asia Regional Committee. Based in Hong Kong, CBH Asia is a key part of the Group’s strategic commitment to expand its presence in the region.
Concurrently, Patrick Wong, who has overseen the Asia business since 2017, has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Mr Wong will continue to manage Operations, Regulatory and Compliance, and IT, while Mrs Yip will focus on enhancing the firm’s client offering and driving business development in line with the Group’s long-term strategy for Asia. With its entrepreneurial approach and exclusive and bespoke investment offering, CBH Asia offers compelling advantages to clients and relationship managers in the region.
A seasoned executive, Mrs Yip brings over 25 years of experience in successfully growing wealth management institutions in Asia. Most recently she was with LGT. Prior to that, she was a Member of the Board at Bank J. Safra Sarasin, having previously served as their Chief Executive Officer, Asia, overseeing the bank’s expansion in the region. Earlier in her career, Mrs Yip held various senior positions in the private banking industry.
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