Aon Benfield has hired Leonora Siccardi as EMEA & UK head of client services.

Based in London, Siccardi will report to Aon Benfield CFO Maggie Westdale, Co-CEO of EMEA Richard Posgate and UK CEO Nick Frankland.

In her new role, Siccardi will oversee the strategic direction of the reinsurance broker’s EMEA and UK claims and client services functions to ensure clients receive an outstanding service, both on a day-to-day basis and also post catastrophic events. The new position represents an expansion of her current duties as UK head of client services at Aon Benfield.

Siccardi joined Aon in 2006 and has since held several positions across the company including claims manager for the Southern European group division and team leader for the financial and professional services claims coordinator team at Aon Risk Solutions.

In 2012, she transitioned to Aon Benfield as head of facultative EMEA claims, and served as head of claims advocacy for Aon Risk Solutions from 2014, with responsibility for the development and delivery of a claims strategy for Aon’s Global Broking Centre in London.

During her career, Siccardi has also worked for Munich Re in Italy and Willis in London.

Commenting on the appointment, Westdale said: “Leonora will oversee the strategic direction of our EMEA & UK claims and client services functions to ensure we are effectively responding to our clients’ needs and strengthening our competitive advantage, while driving consistent best practices across our regional hubs.”