Here is the latest round-up of senior level appointments in insurance, tech, legal, claims etc. Apologies to anyone we missed.
FLARRE
Flarre.AI has announced the appointment of Aasim Kumar Sokal as Vice President of AI and Products, strengthening the company’s product leadership as it continues to expand its insurance-native agentic AI platform.
Aasim brings more than 20 years of experience in platform strategy and product development, including product leadership roles at Celigo and Pegasystems. His experience in shaping platform strategy and building enterprise products will support Flarre.AI as it responds to evolving carrier needs and expands the role of AI across insurance workflows.
GALLAGHER
Gallagher has announced the appointment of James Whittingham as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its UK & Ireland business. He will take over the role in April next year and will replace current COO, Charles Crawford, who is retiring at the end of 2027. The appointment is subject to regulatory approval.
James is presently Chief Financial Officer for Gallagher’s UK & Ireland Retail division, a role he has held since he joined the broker in 2019. James has over 25 years’ experience and has additionally worked at Equiniti, RSA and RBS during his career. In his new role, he will join Gallagher’s UK & Ireland executive team and report to Michael Rea, CEO of Gallagher in the region.
Commenting on the appointment, Michael Rea said: “I know James well having worked with him in my current role and also as CEO of Gallagher’s retail operations and I am delighted he has agreed to take on this hugely important role in my executive team. As Chief Financial Officer of our UK & Ireland Retail division, James has a real understanding of the commercial and operational priorities that underpin our business and he brings strong financial, commercial and operational perspectives. Charles and James will work together from April next year until the end of 2027 to ensure a smooth transition.
JAGUAR RISK
Algorithmic Insurance Services, Inc., now doing business as Jaguar Risk, has appointed two new team members in support of its global growth.
Brian McGuire is Chief Financial Officer. He spent almost 20 years at Zurich North America, leading in Financial Planning & Analysis, before moving into the start-up sector in senior roles with Bitco and Branch. He is skilled with technological tools including financial modeling and AI, and has achieved certifications including Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Chartered Life Underwriter, and Fellowship of the Life Management Institute.
Daniel Edri is Account Executive. His key focus is development of Jaguar Risk’s property Facultative reinsurance portfolio, working with brokers and market partners to identify opportunities and to facilitate the placement of individual property risks requiring additional or specialized capacity.
TARGA TELEMATICS
Onebright Group has appointed Shamira Graham as Managing Director of Mindstep, the digital first mental health company it acquired in July.
Graham’s appointment will strengthen the connection between digital-first support, clinical expertise and human care across the mental healthcare and neurodevelopmental services group and comes at a time of significant importance for the business, as it expands access to preventative and personalised mental health and neurodevelopmental support.
Graham will hold the position alongside her existing role as Chief Commercial Officer at Onebright Mental Health. She will lead Mindstep’s executive team, strategy, commercial development and operational performance, working across the Group to strengthen partnerships and deliver sustainable growth.
MARSH
Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), a leading global professional services firm, has announced the appointment of Marcus Baker to the newly-created role of Chairman, Marine, Cargo, and Logistics, Marsh Risk. Michael Walls will succeed Mr. Baker as Global Head of Marine, Cargo, and Logistics, Marsh Risk. Both roles are effective 1 January, 2027 and will report to Andrew George, President, Specialty and Industry, Marsh Risk.
In his new role as Chairman, Mr. Baker will continue to support Marsh colleagues worldwide, maintain key client relationships with global markets, and lead strategic initiatives closely tied to the movement of world trade. One of the global marine insurance industry’s foremost professionals, Mr. Baker brings 45 years of industry experience to the role and has been a central figure in shaping Marsh’s Marine, Cargo, and Logistics business over the past 32 years.
OPTIO
Optio Group (Optio), the independent specialty MGA, has announced the appointment of Jamie Jeffers as managing director of Optio Asia, effective immediately. Based in Singapore, Jeffers will lead Optio’s next phase of growth in Asia-Pacific, with a focus on expanding its underwriting capabilities and identifying new business opportunities.
Building on the established local operations of Circles Group, Optio intends to broaden its specialty offering, evaluate additional classes of business and deepen relationships with brokers, capacity providers and other market partners across the region.
Jeffers brings extensive experience in specialty insurance and underwriting leadership. Most recently at Canopius, where he served as head of credit and political risk, Asia-Pacific, and head of the global underwriting committee.
AXA XL
AXA XL has announced it has appointed Matt Helm as Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment, UK & Lloyd’s. Based in London, he starts his new role in H1 2027.
Mr. Helm will be responsible for developing, executing and managing the underwriting strategy for the UK & Lloyd’s Sports, Media and Entertainment business. He will lead a team managing complex risks for sports, leisure, entertainment and events clients worldwide, ensuring they have access to market-leading protection and support in an evolving landscape.
Stephanie Barry and Martin Reames are also joining the Sports, Media and Entertainment team. Ms. Barry is set to take on the role of Underwriting Manager, Contingency, Media & Entertainment, UK & Lloyd’s and Mr. Reames is set to become Underwriting Manager, Sport & Leisure, UK & Lloyd’s.
ARCH INSURANCE
Arch Insurance’s UK Regional Division has announced the appointments of Abigail Dent-Jones (above) and Chelsea Sparey (below) as Senior Property & Casualty (P&C) Underwriters, effective immediately.
Dent-Jones and Sparey join the New Business teams in Colchester and Bristol respectively and will be responsible for supporting the growth of the property and liability portfolio, with Dent-Jones focusing on East Anglia and Sparey on the West, the South West and Wales. They report to David Mann, East Anglia Branch Manager, and Julie Collins, Bristol Branch Manager, respectively.
Dent-Jones joins from Victor Insurance where she was Head of Underwriting Operations, having previously held underwriting roles at MS Amlin, Fusion Insurance and NIG Commercial. Sparey joins from DUAL, where she was a Senior P&C Underwriter for the South West and Wales, and has held underwriting and account management roles at Travelers and Ecclesiastical Insurance Group.
LLOYD’S MARKET ASSOCIATION
The Lloyd’s Market Association (LMA) announces that Sheila Cameron will step down from her position as Chief Executive Officer, having led the organisation since 2019.
Sheila will continue in her role into early 2027 in to ensure an orderly and seamless transition, after which she will take on a new advisory role in the London market. The process to appoint her successor is underway.
Sean McGovern, Chair of the LMA, said:
“Sheila has been an outstanding champion for the Association and the wider Lloyd’s market. Through her vision, energy and leadership, she has strengthened the LMA’s position as the voice of the managing agency community, significantly expanding its influence, capabilities and impact.”
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Sheila throughout her time as CEO. Her leadership has transformed the profile and impact of the LMA, ensuring it remains a highly effective and respected voice for the underwriting community.”
“Sheila has left an indelible mark on both the Association and the insurance industry. She played a leading role in advancing data and digital standards through her chairing of the London Market Group’s Data Council, championing of the Lloyd’s cultural reform agenda, and overseeing the growth of the LMA Academy, helping to develop the next generation of market talent.”
“Above all, Sheila brought integrity, empathy and a collaborative spirit to everything she did over the last seven years. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion and her ability to bring people together have helped make both the LMA and the Lloyd’s market stronger, more modern and better prepared for the future.”
“On behalf of the Board and all our members, I would like to thank Sheila for her outstanding service and wish her every success in the future.”
TMK
Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK), a leading specialist insurer, today announces the appointment of Ed Hughes as Marine Reinsurance Underwriter, as part of its strategic growth plans for the Specialty Reinsurance team.
Hughes brings over three years of marine reinsurance experience to the team, most recently serving as Vice President in Marsh Re’s Global Marine, Energy and Technical Lines specialty practice. Prior to this, he held Reinsurance Broking roles in cyber and crisis management and aviation at Marsh Re and Guy Carpenter.
Reporting to Claire Wallace, Divisional Head of Marine Reinsurance at TMK, Hughes will support the growth of the specialty marine reinsurance division and help further enhance the team’s underwriting capabilities. His appointment comes as TMK continues to develop its Specialty Reinsurance offering, providing brokers and clients with long-term capacity, technical expertise, and the agility to respond quickly to evolving market needs.
CLYDE AND CO
Global law firm Clyde & Co has promoted six lawyers to partner in its UK insurance practice, with effect from 1 November.
The promotions come as the firm responds to continued client demand for its insurance expertise, and they reflect its focus on developing talent from within. Four of the six began their careers at Clyde & Co as trainees.
The new partners are:
- Chris Cowland, Property & Liability. Chris specialises in advising insurers on policy wordings and product development across a range of business lines, as well as complex, often multi-jurisdictional property and casualty coverage matters.
- Charlotte Davidson, Construction PI, Professional & Commercial Disputes. Charlotte acts on a wide range of construction professional negligence claims and disputes from a defence and coverage perspective involving D&B contractors, global consultants, engineers, architects and other construction professionals.
- Rob King, Energy, Engineering, Marine & Construction – Specialty. Rob advises insurers on first and third party energy losses across both traditional and renewable energy sectors.
- Jonathan Lawrence, Professional & Commercial Disputes. Professional & Commercial Disputes. Jonathan defends malpractice claims against lawyers, and advises on regulatory issues and disciplinary proceedings.
- Lesia MacCormack, Professional & Commercial Disputes. Lesia is a professional indemnity specialist, with a focus on malpractice claims and regulatory defence work on behalf of solicitors and other professionals. She also advises on commercial litigation matters more generally.
- Ivan Wilkinson, Professional & Commercial Disputes. Ivan has specialised for over 20 years in pensions disputes and other complex professional liability disputes, including claims against lawyers in relation to tax and corporate finance advice. He is a member of the Dispute Resolution Committee of the Association of Pension Lawyers
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