Insurance Sector Appointments: Latest Updates -

It’s a new month, new start for many of us. Here’s the latest appointments news;

AVIVA INVESTORS

Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, has announced two new appointments representing the latest in a number of senior, strategic additions to the firm’s Global Fixed Income team. Anna Chong joins as a Sector Lead, whilst Michalis Ditsas joins as a Senior Investment Director; both based in London

Anna will report into Gita Bal (Head of Fixed Income Research) and will lead Fixed Income’s Resources, Industrials & Infrastructure hub, as well as managing Aviva Investor’s Fixed Income Early Careers program. She joins from Federated Hermes, where she held the role of Head of Corporate Credit Research. She worked at J.P. Morgan before moving to Federated Hermes in 2017.

ALLIANZ TRADE

Allianz Trade, the world leader in trade credit insurance, today announces three key appointments to the board of management for the Northern Europe (NEUR) region.

Benoit Semelin takes on the role of Regional CFAO, succeeding Sébastian Rageot who has become CEO for the Nordics at Allianz Trade. Sorina Eremia is Regional Credit Director, succeeding Matt Williams who has taken on the role of CEO for the UK & Ireland at Allianz Trade. Craig Ironside becomes Regional Commercial Director, succeeding Rodrigo Jimenez, who was named CEO of the Asia Pacific region at Allianz Trade. Benoit and Sorina began in their new roles on 1 July, while Craig began on 1 August 2025.

Benoit Semelin becomes Regional Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) after 22 years at Allianz Trade. Benoit began his journey as Controlling Manager for Allianz Trade’s French entity in 2003, before taking on a series of CFO roles around the world – including for Allianz Trade’s World Agency in Paris, then in Turkey and, most recently, the Asia Pacific Region. Benoit will now be based in Brussels, where he will leverage his extensive financial expertise and leadership skills to support Allianz Trade’s growth throughout the region.

Sorina Eremia brings two decades’ experience with Allianz Trade to the Regional Credit Director role. Based in Brussels, Sorina has been an integral part of the business since 2006. She has led underwriting teams across Central and Eastern Europe, the UK and Ireland and, most recently, Benelux as Director of Risk, Information, Claims & Collections. In her new role, Sorina is responsible for driving Allianz Trade’s credit segment strategy and success across Northern Europe.

Craig Ironside returns to the UK after an international career spanning over 25 years at Allianz Trade. Craig has held a range of commercial leadership roles at Allianz Trade since 1999, including leading commercial functions in the UK, at regional and global levels. He was most recently Group Head of Commercial Underwriting and Product Development, based in Paris. Returning to London, Craig will oversee growth of commercial functions across the NEUR region, supporting them to achieve strategic objectives.

IFAD

Corinne Woods joins the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as Director of Communications. For the past three years Woods led communications at the World Bank Group including designing and leading the IDA21 replenishment campaign. She commences her new role at a crucial time as IFAD endeavours to scale up its investments in poor rural communities that are key to global food security and stability.

Woods will report to Federica Diamanti, Associate Vice President for External Relations, and will lead all aspects of communications and reputation management, brand, digital, creative strategy, internal communication and media outreach. She will focus on strengthening IFAD’s voice as an International Financial Institution (IFI) driving meaningful impact through investment in rural agriculture.

LOCKTON

Lockton, the world’s largest independent insurance broker, has appointed Magnus Sjöstrand to the new role of Head of Property for Lockton Sweden. Magnus will report to Johan Lindvall (CEO, Lockton Sweden) and be responsible for building Lockton Sweden’s property client base.

Magnus starts on 1 September 2025 and will be based in Stockholm. He will work closely with colleagues in Sweden, London and the US to leverage property insurance solutions for the benefit of clients. Magnus brings more than 15 years of insurance industry experience, most recently as Senior Property Underwriter at XL Insurance Company SE, and previously as Underwriting Manager for Property in the Nordics at AXA XL and XL Insurance Company SE.

Lockton has alaso appointed Ryan Bond as Head of Property and Casualty (P&C) for Bermuda. Ryan will report to Philip DiMeglio, Managing Director, Lockton Bermuda, and hold overall responsibility for Lockton Bermuda’s rapidly growing property and casualty client base. Ryan starts this newly-created role on 8 September 2025 and will be based on the island. He will work closely with our London and US teams to leverage the Bermuda marketplace for the benefit of Lockton’s global clients.

WESTFIELD SPECIALTY

Westfield Specialty International has further strengthened its claims team with the appointment of Melanie Gilbert as Head of Third Party Claims. She will be based in London and report to Katie MacGregor, Director of Operations (interim) and Head of Claims at Westfield Specialty International. Melanie will have strategic oversight of third-party claims across Westfield Specialty International’s diverse portfolio, managing a team of professionals handling complex and high value claims to ensure excellent customer service, and building and maintaining strong relationships with key external stakeholders.

PIMLOC

Pimloc, the leading AI video privacy and analytics company, has announced the appointment of Kelly Richdale as Chairwoman of its Board of Directors. Richdale joins as Pimloc expands rapidly across sectors that depend on secure, compliant access to visual data – transforming surveillance video into actionable intelligence without compromising privacy.

Richdale brings over 25 years of leadership at the intersection of technology innovation, cybersecurity, and compliance in highly regulated industries. A recognized expert in AI, quantum technologies, and operational risk, she has held executive, advisory and board-level roles in organizations spanning insurance, finance, healthcare, and the public sector. Her appointment follows Pimloc’s recent $5 million investment round led by Amadeus Capital Partners, fueling international growth and advancing its vision for privacy-first video intelligence.

IAP

Insurance Advisory Partners (IAP), the insurance focused boutique investment banking firm, announces the appointment of Rinki Melwani as partner, effective 25^th August subject to regulatory approval. She will be based at IAP’s Lime St London office and work alongside fellow UK based partners Clive Buesnel, Bhaven Pathak and Benjamin James. Melwani is the latest addition to IAP’s rapidly growing London team, she will add significant further momentum to IAP’s continued UK and European expansion.

Having worked in investment banking, equity research and corporate banking for more than 15 years, Melwani brings extensive experience to IAP. In addition to advising on acquisitions, IPOs and capital raises, she has advised on more than 50 transactions with Blue-Chip clients including insurance brokers, MGAs, Insurtechs, re/insurers and asset managers. She joins from the London branch of investment banking and capital markets group Jefferies and previously held roles at Credit Suisse, Citi, J.P. Morgan and D.E. Shaw.

BEAZLEY

Beazley, the leading specialty insurer, has announced the promotion of Jenny Han to the role of Focus Group Leader, Environmental Liability, effective immediately. Based in San Francisco, Han reports to Jerry Sullivan, Head of Professional, Environmental and Mergers & Acquisitions.

Han has accumulated 22 years of experience in the environmental insurance space. Since joining Beazley in 2014, she has been a pivotal player in the business’s global Environmental Liability team, amassing extensive underwriting expertise and leadership capabilities. Before joining Beazley, Han gained experience with both international and US domestic insurers, holding senior positions, including Vice President of an Environmental Division. Before embarking on her insurance career, she spent a decade advising private sector clients as an environmental consultant.

HDI GLOBAL

Effective 1 September, HDI Global appoints Nikita Tikhonov as new Head of Marine Global Risk. Tikhonov will report to Dr Carsten Schulte, Head of Marine Underwriting. Located in the Hannover headquarter of HDI Global, Nikita Tikhonov will oversee a team of five professionals working on HDI Global’s value proposition in Marine. He succeeds Felix Cassau, who has chosen to take on new challenges at Hannover Re.

Nikita Tikhonov started his career as a Marine and Property underwriter in Russia, before joining HDI Global in 2018. He was initially responsible for establishing and developing a new portfolio in Marine Cargo as well as Accident & Health insurance. In his current position as a Global Risk underwriter, Nikita Tikhonov builds on his expertise, supporting local underwriters in HDI Global Branch offices all over the world in developing their Automotive portfolio.

MARSH

Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor and a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), recently announced the appointments of Brian Glod as Global Head of Aviation and Space and Tony Ambrose as Global Chairman of Aviation and Space, effective September 1.

Based in New York, Mr. Glod will join Marsh’s Global Specialty Executive Committee and report to Andrew George, President of Marsh Specialty. Mr. Ambrose is based in London and will report to Dominic Samengo-Turner, CEO, Marsh Specialty, UK and Mr. Glod.

CONSILIUM

Consilium, the global speciality (re)insurance broking business of the Aventum Group, is delighted to announce the appointments of two new associates in its Professional and Executive Risk Solutions division. The appointments highlight consistently strong growth in what is already regarded as one of the most seasoned financial lines team in the London Market.

Michael Harte joins Consilium as Associate Partner, bringing with him 11+ years’ experience. Making the move from Jensten Insurance Brokers where he held the position of FINPRO Account Manager. Michael brings broad retail and wholesale experience across both financial and professional risks. His previous experience includes roles at Howden and Tysers. Valuing the opportunity to join a fast growth team, Michael believes his expertise across a wide range of clients and deep understanding of the nuances of the market will complement the team’s existing skill set. His ambition is to both build its global book of business, as well as retain valued relationships.

Olivia Taylor joins the team as Associate. Recently moving to the UK from Australia, she brings 4+ years’ broking experience working for Praden Pty Limited in Sydney. As a specialist in financial lines, Olivia will build on her retail expertise in her new role, as well as gain exposure to the wholesale market. As a talented young broker Olivia was attracted by Consilium’s independent status and the opportunity to hone her skills as part of a well-regarded London market team. An advocate of the importance of face-to-face engagement and service-based value differentiation, Olivia believes Consilium’s responsiveness, strong underwriter relationships, and tailored wordings set it apart in a soft market.