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EC News (15 October 2020)

  • Publish Date: Posted over 3 years ago
  • Author:by Alan Jarque

Round-up of the weekly news and developments from the global (re)insurance market with stories from Willis Towers Watson, Marsh, Compre and more.

Willis Towers Watson appoints director of climate transition risk

Global (re)insurance broker, Willis Towers Watson has announced the appointment of Tony Rooke as director of climate transition risk in the firm’s Climate and Resilience Hub (CRH).

In his new role, Rooke will be responsible for guiding the advice and analysis Willis Towers Watson provides to clients to help them navigate into the transition of low carbon economy and contribute to the innovation of new services and products across the investment, risk and human capital businesses.

Rooke brings more than 22 years of global experience in climate change, sustainability, strategy, advisory and programme delivery. With this, he will be able to drive Willis Towers Watson’s client-guidance on climate transition risk disclosure, management and opportunities.

Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, Rooke served as a global director for Disclosure at CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), where he was responsible for delivering and maintaining a leading environmental disclosure platform used by thousands of companies and cities worldwide.

He has also set up and led environmental and sustainability consulting practices at Infosys and Logica across EMEA and APAC, delivering strategies, advisory and climate transition projects spanning private and public sector.

Rowan Douglas, head of the Climate and Resilience Hub, said: “We are delighted to have someone of Tony’s experience on board as we enter the climate decade. Tony’s long experience and technical expertise and leadership is widely respected, and it is exciting to bring him onto our platform to work at the heart of the financial sector and corporate markets. Tony is helping us deliver the innovative and cutting-edge solutions being sought by our clients, to help them adapt and win the new economy.”

Rooke commented: “I am excited to be joining Willis Towers Watson, which has been successfully developing an unrivalled breadth and depth of climate expertise and capabilities globally to help corporate, finance and public sector institutions prepare for and ensure future resilience. The low carbon transition is a huge opportunity for all to invest in and adapt business models with the financial services sector at the heart of making this transition happen.”

Marsh bolsters UK aviation team with senior hires

Marsh has announced a series of appointments including Mark Walters as managing director within the UK Aviation Practice, Paul Rogers as senior vice president and Andrew Walker as senior vice president within the UK Airline team.

Walters joins the business with immediate effect and will report to Andy Smith, UK chairman and CEO, Aviation, Marsh JLT Specialty.

Based in London, he will provide senior insurance and risk advisory services to Marsh JLT Specialty's UK aviation and aerospace clients, which includes many of the sector's leading airlines, airports, manufacturers, and ancillary providers.

Walters was previously employed by Marsh from 1990-2009 and returns to the business from Gallagher, where he was an executive director in the Aviation division for five years.

Paul Rogers will join the business on 1 November 2020 reporting to David George, UK managing director and product line leader for Airlines. He will be responsible for supporting the development of the UK Practice’s sales proposition.

He brings more than four decades of insurance industry experience to the firm and most recently served as director in Gallagher's Aviation Division and was the founding partner and managing director of dedicated aviation and aerospace insurance broker ARAIC.

Additionally, Walker will join Marsh in March 2021 and report to Steve Haslam, senior vice president, UK Aviation, Marsh JLT Specialty.

He has worked in the aviation industry for over 25 years and was most recently a divisional director at UIB for 16 years, specialising in airline portfolios.

Commenting on the appointments, Smith said: “The global aviation industry has been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; many organisations are re-evaluating their business models and are seeking new ways to build their resilience to future shocks. Mark, Paul and Andrew will play key roles in supporting our UK clients as the sector works towards recovery.”

Walters added: “I look forward to working with Marsh’s colleagues in the UK and globally to further develop our risk and insurance capabilities in the aviation and aerospace sector, and assist clients in responding to the challenges they face during this difficult time.”

Compre announces a series of management changes to support growth plans

Independent specialist legacy acquirer, Compre announced a series of management changes to support future growth.

Ian Patrick has been appointed as group chief financial officer (CFO), effective immediately. He takes over from Simon Hawkins who has held the position since December 2018.

As part of the Compre Executive Management Team, Patrick will be responsible for driving the growth and financial effectiveness of the Group, leading the global finance team and managing investor relations and communications.

He brings a wealth of industry experience to the role having served as CFO of ReAssure, as well as P&C sector experience from his time with Towergate and Highway.

Simon Hawkins joined the firm’s executive management team in July 2018 as chief operating officer and then oversaw a restructuring of Compre’s finance function as group CFO. With Patrick joining the business Hawkins will return to his previous role as COO of Compre.

Hawkins joined Compre from QBE where he was head of Run-off for seven years and led the de-risking and exit process of many of QBE’s legacy portfolios.

Additionally, Compre has announced that Rhydian Williams, previously managing director, Operations and Risk has retired from the executive management team. Williams joined the business as part of the original MBO in 2011 with Will Bridger and Nick Steer, former CEO. Williams will remain as a non-executive director of the firm’s group holding companies of several of its risk carriers in both Europe and Bermuda.

Compre’s CEO, Bridger, commented: “I am delighted to announce these management changes at a key time for Compre and the legacy market. I’d like to welcome Ian to the team and look forward to working with him as we close our capital raising and build Compre through its next evolution.

“My thanks to Simon for his stewardship of the Finance function for nearly 2 years. I am delighted that we have secured such an experienced CFO in Ian allowing Simon to resume his focus on transactions and generating value from our portfolios.

“My thanks also to Rhydian with whom I have worked closely for 10 years. I am delighted that he will continue with the group in a non-Executive capacity.”

Allianz Insurance names head of claims operations

Allianz Insurance has announced the appointment of Graham Stait as the new head of claims operations.

In his new role, Stait will be responsible for leading the development and delivery of Allianz’s claims operational strategy, leveraging enhanced people, data and digital capabilities to drive continuous improvement and positive customer outcomes.

In his most recent position as head of supply & experts, Stait was a member of the Claims Management Board and was responsible for overseeing transformational change across Allianz’s Motor Engineering and Claims Investigator functions. He has been responsible for developing a ‘fit-for-future’ motor damage strategy whilst embedding sustainability across Allianz’s supply chain.

Since joining the firm’s graduate programme in 2008, Graham has held various leadership roles across the organisation.

In his previous position as claims proposition and change manager, he was responsible for delivering improvements to enhance customer experience and streamline claims processes, with a focus on digital initiatives, which included a secondment at Allianz’s Global Digital Factory in Munich.

Graham Gibson, Allianz chief claims officer, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Graham to his new role as head of claims operations. He has been an integral member of our Claims Management Board for the last two years and has a wealth of experience, having held some key leadership positions during his time at Allianz. I have no doubt that he will approach his new position with the same fresh outlook, commitment and enthusiasm.”

Chubb appoints Nandini Mani as EVP, claims for overseas general insurance

Global (re)insurance provider Chubb has named Nandini Mani as executive vice president, claims for overseas general insurance, the company's international general insurance business in 51 countries and territories, effective immediately.  

Mani is deputy general counsel and head of global litigation. In her new role, she will be responsible for all aspects of the company's international claims organisation, both retail and wholesale, that supports Chubb's property and casualty, accident and health, and personal lines insurance businesses in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Far East, and Eurasia and Africa.

She will report to Juan Luis Ortega, executive vice president, Chubb Group and president of overseas general insurance, and Mike Smith, senior vice president, Chubb Group and global claims officer.

Mani joined the firm in 2015 leading all global investigations and litigation. Prior to that, she served as managing counsel at BNY Mellon.

Ortega said: "Nandini brings a stellar background and a strong track record of performance to this role. Her appointment is another indicator of Chubb's deep pool of talented leaders."

Smith added: "Our global claims organization is one of the finest in the world and we understand that claims is where we deliver on our commitments to clients. Nandini's legal experience and knowledge of Chubb will be a valuable addition as she takes on this important role. I look forward to working with Nandini."

CII names Julie Page as president

Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has appointed Aon’s UK chief executive officer Julie Page as president.

Page has worked in the insurance industry for more the three decades with clients across all segments including Consumer, SME, UK and Global Corporate.

She was appointed CEO of Aon UK Ltd in 2018 and directly leads Aon’s UK Commercial Risk, Health and Affinity businesses.

She is a member of the CBI President’s Committee, a member of the FCA Practitioner Panel and an industry advocate for diversity and inclusion, previously holding roles as a committee member of Inclusion@Lloyd’s and the Dive In Festival.

Page was previously a non-executive board director at BIBA, as the chair of one of its Advisory Boards, and more recently as deputy chair until standing down in July 2019.

Additionally, Peter Blanc was appointed to the role of deputy president. Blanc is Group CEO of Aston Lark, and non-executive chairman of Hastings Insurance Services Ltd.

Page and Blanc took up their roles after the CII extended the term of former President Nick Turner, sales and agency director of NFU Mutual, after it was forced to delay its annual AGM due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Page said: “At any time, it would be a privilege to be appointed as president of the CII; but now, with the unprecedented health crisis and economic interruption caused by Covid-19, the need for us to continue to focus on trust in our products and services increases both the privilege and responsibility I feel in accepting this honour.

“The opportunity to work with the best minds from all sides of our profession, to gain recognition of the valuable work that we already do, and to find ways to accelerate our efforts to respond to customer needs is something I am extremely excited about.”

Sian Fisher, CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute, added: “I would like to thank Nick for extending his tenure as President during these challenging times and for his focus on building a greater level of consumer trust in our profession.

“I would also like to offer him the CII’s congratulations on his recent appointment as the next Group CEO of NFU Mutual to succeed after the retirement of the current CEO next April.

“I am delighted to have Julie as our new president and look forward to working with her on how our profession can unite to best serve society, both now and during less stressful times.”