Job Moves and Senior Appointments 28.04.2026

Apollo, a Skyward Group Company, the innovation inspired insurance platform, announces the expansion of its specialty division with the launch of a sports and entertainment (S&E) class of business, led by new recruit Paul Thomas. The addition combines S&E with its well-established contingency and accident & health (A&H) solutions, strengthening a unified offering built to drive profitable growth in targeted segments where Apollo can build durable, defensible positions as it continues to diversify its portfolio.

Paul is a highly accomplished industry leader who brings more than two decades of expertise in sports, media, and entertainment underwriting, having most recently served as Global Head of Sports, Media, and Entertainment at AXA XL. With extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing innovative solutions across a broad range of classes, Paul is a proven leader in delivering tailored risk strategies worldwide.

CFC

CFC, the specialist insurance provider, pioneer in emerging risk and market leader in cyber, announces the appointment of Isabel Finn as Head of Cyber Exposure and Proactive Risk, a newly created role designed to strengthen how cyber risk is identified, understood and proactively reduced across the insurance lifecycle.

The appointment reflects growing demand from brokers and clients for clearer, more actionable insight into cyber exposure, including visibility on how risk is developing, how it impacts coverage and pricing, and how to reduce it at earlier stages.

In her new role, Finn will focus on translating CFC’s deep reserves of real‑world incident data, threat intelligence and monitoring insight into decision‑ready intelligence that supports broker placement conversations and helps clients better understand where their greatest exposures sit. She will work closely with CFC’s underwriting, product, proactive cyber and incident response teams to ensure exposure insights are directly reflected in underwriting assessment, proactive services and claims mitigation strategies.

ASTA

Asta, the leading third-party managing agent at Lloyd’s, has further strengthened its Asta Managing Agency (AMA) board with the appointment of Nylesh Shah as independent non-executive director (iNED) with effect from 1 June 2026. Joining from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), the appointment brings one of the most respected regulatory and actuarial voices in the London Market to Asta.

Shah joins with four decades of experience across the general insurance industry across consultancy, c-suite and senior regulatory roles. During his time spent at PwC, he developed significant expertise in Lloyd’s syndicate reviews, advising some of the London Market’s most complex organisations. Shah went on to hold senior executive roles at Wellington Underwriting, where he served as group chief actuary and at Catlin Group, where as deputy chief investment officer he oversaw the strategic management of an US$8bn investment portfolio.

WOODGATE AND CLARK

Woodgate & Clark has strengthened its expertise in handling complex claims with the expansion of its major loss team, including the appointment of Jack Steel as Director of Major Loss Operations.  The Woodgate & Clark liability team has also grown with two new appointments in recent months – Gary Eaton is now Technical Director in Third Party Property Damage and Gareth Hadfield has been promoted to Technical Director for Injury.

Loss adjusting and claims management specialist Woodgate & Clark has also strengthened its presence in the North West with the appointment of Ashley Matthews as Client Relationship Manager, further reinforcing the firm’s commitment to supporting insurance providers operating in the Manchester market.

OBRA CAPITAL

 Obra Capital, Inc. (“Obra”), a specialized alternative asset management firm, today announced that Ashish Sinha has joined the firm as Managing Director, Asset-Based Finance. He will support the firm’s asset-based opportunistic credit strategy out of the firm’s New York office, reporting to Matt Roesler, Senior Managing Director and Head of Multi-Sector Credit.

Mr. Sinha brings nearly two decades of experience investing across public and private asset-backed markets, most recently serving as Managing Director at Encina Capital, where he led a team originating, structuring and underwriting investments across the consumer, residential and commercial sectors. He joins Obra as the firm expands its asset-based finance presence, focusing on less-correlated opportunities in areas of capital scarcity where returns are driven by contractual cash flows and originator fundamentals rather than broader market conditions. The strategy targets niche, structurally-driven investments with attractive risk and income profiles in sectors where long-term economic and societal shifts have outpaced the availability of traditional capital.

PRICE FORBES

Price Forbes announces the appointment of Malcolm Payton to its senior leadership team, effective 9 December 2026. Based in London, he will report to Specialty Broking CEO John Thompson.

Payton will work closely with the Price Forbes and Price Forbes Re leadership teams to shape commercial strategy and drive market engagement.

Payton joins from Gallagher Specialty, where he served as chief executive officer, property & casualty. With more than 40 years of industry experience, he brings considerable expertise in leadership, production and team development, having spent much of his career in senior roles in high‑performing broking businesses.

EVERSHEDS

Eversheds Sutherland has expanded its insurance team with the appointment of Helen Hallam as a partner in the firm’s London office.

Helen joins the firm from Canada Life Limited, where she spent more than eight years in senior in-house roles, including as Lead Counsel advising on insurance led corporate finance transactions. During her time at Canada Life, she worked at the centre of the insurer’s bulk annuities, reinsurance and capital activity, advising on a wide range of matters including pensions risk transfer transactions, funded reinsurance and longevity risk arrangements, insurance business transfers, and related investment and capital management structures.

Helen brings extensive experience advising on high value, complex and time critical transactions, frequently involving multiple stakeholders and detailed regulatory considerations. Her work has spanned the full lifecycle of major transactions, combining technical knowledge with a strong understanding of commercial and operational drivers.

BEAZLEY

Beazley, the leading specialty insurer, has announced the appointment of Sundeep Khera as Head of Marine, effective 21^st April 2026. As part of the Marine, Accident & Political (MAP) Risks team, Khera will lead the Marine, Energy, Aviation and Space teams, reporting to Tim Turner, Group Head of MAP Risks.

A recognised leader in the London market, Khera brings 30 years’ experience in the marine sector. He joins from AXA XL, where he was Global Chief Underwriting Officer for Marine Hull & War and Head of Marine and Energy UK & Lloyd’s. During his tenure, he led the development of innovative products, including the market’s first carbon credit solution for marine hull.

Prior to his insurance career, Khera held senior roles at Emirates Shipping Line across shipping operations, stowage planning, commercial and general management. He is also a qualified Master Mariner.

JENSTEN

ALLIANZ PARTNERS

Allianz Partners, a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, has announced two strategic leadership appointments to its Board of Management. These appointments highlight the depth of expertise and adaptability within Allianz’s leadership team, further strengthening the Board as Allianz Partners advances its growth strategy. 

After nearly two decades within the Allianz Group, Phil Hoffman (ABOVE) has been appointed Chief Officer Travel and Member of the Board of Management at Allianz Partners, effective April 15^th, 2026, subject to regulatory approval. In his new role, he will report directly to Tomas Kunzmann, CEO of Allianz Partners, and lead the continued expansion of the travel business.

Phil brings close to 20 years of leadership experience across Allianz, having held several strategic positions including Head of Insurance Ibero-LatAm, U.S. Life and Asset Management for Group Planning & Controlling at Allianz SE, as well as Director of Financial Consulting and Investment Risk Principal at Allianz Life Insurance North America. Since 2019, he has served as CFO of Allianz Direct, overseeing all financial operations.

Phil succeeds Anna Kofoed who was nominated Chief Officer for Global Strategic Partnerships and Board Member at Allianz Partners in January 2026, also reporting to Tomas Kunzmann.

Anna (ABOVE) joined Allianz Partners in 2023 from Amadeus, a leading global travel technology company and distribution platform. With over 20 years of experience at Amadeus, she held several global leadership roles across many functions, from marketing and sales to strategy and business planning. In the 2 years heading the travel business, she helped to deliver strong revenue growth with a clear segment focus on airlines and banks, while launching innovative products and strengthening digital engagement.

Anna succeeds Jean-Marc Pailhol, who has taken on a new role dedicated to developing a specialized insurance and assistance offering for high-net-worth individuals.

LIBERTY SPECIALTY

Liberty Specialty Markets (Liberty), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has announced a restructured leadership team for its Fine Art & Specie (FA&S) line of business in Europe, effective from 1^st May 2026.

Bjoern Reusswig (ABOVE) is appointed European Underwriting Manager for Contingency, Fine Art & Specie and War & Terrorism. He takes on the additional responsibility for Fine Art & Specie from David Saillen, Chief Underwriting Officer for Europe. In his new role he will report to Saillen.

Reusswig’s extensive reputation, global-lines background and previous FA&S experience, ensures that he will be able to maintain our reputation of underwriting excellence while accelerating profitable growth across key lines of business.

Paolo Frassetto (ABOVE) is appointed Fine Art & Specie European Underwriting Manager. He will retain his existing responsibilities as Underwriting Manager FA&S Italy. Frassetto will continue to be based in Milan (Italy) reporting to Bjoern Reusswig and Antonio Sacchi, General Manager, Italy.  All FA&S Underwriting managers in countries as well as the European Underwriting Specialist report into their respective country managers with a dual report to Frassetto.

ASCOT

Ascot has announced the appointment of Kristyn Smallcombe as Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), Ascot U.S. In this role, she will be responsible for crafting and executing Ascot’s U.S. underwriting strategy, with a focus on profitability, growth, and diversification across the insurance platform.