Independent Lloyd’s broker AFL Insurance Brokers Ltd (AFL) has appointed Chris Gagg as its chief financial officer (CFO) and a member of the AFL board of directors, effective 1 September.
Gagg joins AFL from Towergate Insurance (the Ardonagh Group) where he most recently served as group head of treasury. He brings experience in insurance and financial services. During his career spanning 17 years, Gagg has held senior positions at Deloitte UK, Grant Thornton UK LLP and Ernst & Young.
Working with leading insurers and intermediaries, Gagg has successfully executed complex finance redesigns, pursued growth strategies as a senior member of deal leadership teams, and is recognised as an expert in insurance financial regulation and operations.
Keely Dalfen, current CFO at AFL, will remain as an advisor to the business for the foreseeable future, focusing on finance and investment projects within the social enterprise and charity sector.
Commenting on the new appointment, AFL chairman Toby Esser said: “Chris is a trusted and respected insurance financial professional and I am delighted to welcome him to AFL. His appointment further cements the leadership team on the board, where his experience and insight will be invaluable in providing strategic corporate finance input as we continue to grow the business into a highly innovative wholesale and retail broker.
Our strategy is to modernise the broking model to offer more value to our clients, and to achieve a scale that offers a real independent alternative to market incumbents. We will continue to diversify our business and invest in new technology that drives efficiency across operations and finance. I look forward to working with Chris as we expand internationally.”
AFL CEO Bob Finch added: “The last 12 months has seen the company continue to grow into a dynamic and modern home for the best talent, and it is a great pleasure to welcome Chris to the team. At the same time we thank Keely, who has been with the business since it was founded in 2008, for her ongoing dedication and expert insight. We look forward to continuing to benefit from Keely’s input going forwards. Our future is bright and we are delighted that Chris is joining us at this pivotal time in our growth.”
Gagg said: “AFL is an innovation-focussed broker on a dynamic growth path. The company is building a business around digitisation, allowing it to operate more efficiently, and ultimately better serve clients and partners in the Worldwide Broker Network. It is an exciting proposition – the industry as we know it is changing, and the winners of the future will embrace this transformation. I am delighted to have the opportunity to join as CFO at a time when the company is rapidly expanding into a full service independent, international broker.”