Round-up of the weekly news and developments from the global (re)insurance market with stories from Aon, Compre, Hiscox and more.

Ben Love joins Aon’s Reinsurance Solutions UK leadership team

Aon has announced that Ben Love has been appointed to its Reinsurance Solutions’ UK leadership team.

In his new role, he will be based in London, report to Nick Frankland, CEO and will predominantly focus on client growth strategy as well as other specific responsibilities.

Love joins the business from Tamesis DUAL, where he served as director of underwriting since 2018.

He began his career as a broker with Greg Fester and later worked for Benefield in the US and Bermuda for a number of years before joining Hiscox as senior vice president of Reinsurance Underwriting.

He spent over 10 years at Hiscox in various senior positions, most recently as head of business development for Hiscox Re.

Frankland commented: “With more than 20 years of experience in the reinsurance industry across underwriting, broking and third-party capacity management, Ben is well positioned to understand our clients’ needs in a rapidly evolving marketplace. We are delighted to have someone of his expertise join Reinsurance Solutions and the UK Leadership Team of our business.”

Compre appoints Petrella & Tregidga to leadership team

International specialist legacy group, Compre, announced the appointments of Marialuisa Petrella as claims director, and Connie Tregidga as group M&A director.

Petrella will join the firm in May from Armour Risk Management Limited, where she most recently served as head of European claims. Prior to that, she worked from QBE and is a lawyer by profession.

She brings more than 17 years of claims experience across a range of classes and jurisdictions and will report to Simon Hawkins, chief operating officer.

Additionally, Tregida will join the business generation team in July from QBE where she spent 11 years, most recently as head of retrospective solutions and group reinsurance counsel. She will report to Eleni Iacovides, chief development officer. Both Petrella and Tregidga will be based in London.

Hawkins said: “Marialuisa brings a broad variety of technical, managerial and strategic ability to Compre, with an exceptional track record of managing high value and complex claims. I very much look forward to working with her and am extremely pleased to welcome her to Compre.”

Iacovides said: “Connie is an outstanding and highly-respected corporate lawyer, whose deal skills will be a considerable addition to our growing team and I am delighted to welcome her to Compre. Both appointments complement and strengthen our business and will be great assets as we look to fulfil our vision and achieve our ambitious growth plans.”

Kevin Kerridge named Hiscox USA CEO succeeding Steve Langan

International specialist insurer, Hiscox has announced the appointment of Kevin Kerridge as chief executive officer of Hiscox USA, succeeding Steve Langan, effective 15 May 2021.

Kerridge, who will report to Ben Walker, CEO of global retail joined the business in 1996 where he created Hiscox’s first direct online business in the UK.

In 2009, he relocated from London to New York to oversee the launch and development of Hiscox’s US digital small business operation and Hiscox state he was instrumental in driving forward the firm’s ambition of becoming a leading provider of small business insurance in the US.

Walter said: “Kevin is an inspirational leader with an impressive track record of building successful businesses for Hiscox. His limitless drive and inspirational leadership will be a vital asset as we strive to make good on our ambition to become the number one small business insurer in the US.

“Kevin takes over from Steve Langan, who will return to the UK after working with Kevin to ensure a smooth transition of the CEO role. Steve has run Hiscox USA for the last three years with a steady hand and clear voice, positioning the business well for market success and profitable growth. I would like to thank Steve for his exceptional leadership and his success in building our differentiated brand across the globe.”

Kerridge added: “Hiscox USA has come a long way over the last ten years and I’m proud to have played my part in that success. As CEO, I’m now immensely excited to lead the business during its next phase of growth and for us to realise the opportunities ahead as we see them. The last year has been a challenging time for small businesses, but I want to ensure that Hiscox continues to be a dynamic and collaborative partner for our customers and distribution channels as we help them to adapt and respond to changing markets and emerging opportunities.”

Sedgwick names Ruth Leggett as CEO in Ireland

Sedgwick, a provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrating business solutions announced Ruth Leggett has been appointed CEO of its operations in Ireland.

Leggett will succeed Malcolm Hughes, who held the role for 24 years and will remain with the company as executive chairman for Ireland and international executive director with a focus on diversifying the company’s global service offerings.

Leggett will be responsible for growing the business and resources in Ireland, which Sedgwick state is a key geography in the firm’s global network. They add that her deep involvement in the company’s day-to-day operations as chief of staff and deputy CEO for Ireland and years of experience integrating teams, empowering colleagues, and advancing organizational development position her well for success in her new role.

Leggett joined Sedgwick as a graduate trainee in the third-party administration (TPA) division and later transferred to colleague resources (CR). There, she transformed the strategic capabilities of the department from a primarily administrative group to an integrated resource arm supporting operations nationwide.

As head of CR for Ireland, Leggett drove retention, engagement, innovation and efficiency among more than 400 colleagues. In light of her success, Leggett was appointed to an additional senior-level role as chief of staff, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day strategic management of operations in Ireland.

Hughes said: “Ruth has spent her entire career supporting and empowering Sedgwick colleagues, and she’s made an especially powerful mark in spearheading female leadership development. Her unparalleled commitment to the advancement of the company has paved the way for her to take on the CEO role. She is the future of Sedgwick in Ireland, and I’m incredibly pleased with all that she’s achieved. Her appointment as CEO underscores our commitment to attracting, retaining, and developing exceptional talent so that other up-and-coming leaders may follow in her footsteps.”

Mike Arbour, CEO of Sedgwick said: “Malcolm’s industry expertise and decades of experience remain invaluable to us as he adopts a broader global role and works to bridge our international relationships and service offerings. He is an outstanding addition to our international business leadership team as we execute our diversification growth plans.”

Leggett said: “I am excited to play an important part in Sedgwick’s ongoing journey in Ireland and to take the reins from Malcolm Hughes, who has been my friend and mentor for the past 10 years. Throughout my tenure at Sedgwick, I’ve always believed that our people are our most important asset, and a strong and engaged team is vital to our success. I am deeply committed to delivering on our values and objectives for the benefit of all stakeholders, colleagues, clients and investors alike.”

Guy Carpenter appoints Christophe Gaudron CEO of its French operations

Guy Carpenter, the reinsurance business of Marsh McLennan has announced the appointment of Christophe Gaudron as chief executive officer of its French operations, effective 1 January 2022.

Additionally, Michel den Boer has been appointed as managing director, treaty broking, Guy Carpenter Benelux, effective immediately.  

In Gaudron’s new position, he will be responsible for overseeing the broking activities of Guy Carpenter across the French marketplace. Based in Paris, Gaudron will report to Massimo Reina, CEO, Europe, Guy Carpenter.

Gaudron brings more than two decades of reinsurance experience as well as extensive knowledge of the French Market.

He joined the firm in 2010 and was appointed deputy CEO of Guy Carpenter France in 2014. Prior to this, he held a number of managerial roles at Aon Benfield.

Gaudron will succeed Phillippe Renault, currently CEO, Guy Carpenter France, who will continue in his role as chairman, Guy Carpenter Europe.

Meanwhile, den Boer’s role as managing director will be based in Rotterdam where he will work primarily within the Dutch market and report to Patrick Schepens, CEO, Guy Carpenter Benelux.

In his new role, he will be responsible for reinforcing the company’s market presence and amplifying its focus on providing market-leading risk transfer capabilities to its clients.

He brings over three decades of experience and joins the firm from Willis Re, where he served as an executive director and treaty broker within the business’ Continental Europe division, focusing on the Netherlands.

Reina said: “This transition demonstrates the depth of talent we have at Guy Carpenter. Christophe has an excellent track record of delivering value and results to our clients and has contributed greatly to our growth in the region. He succeeds Philippe who has achieved incredible success in the role, and I am fully confident Christophe will continue to build on that success, to the benefit of our clients and the wider market. I am grateful to Philippe for his hard work and for making Guy Carpenter the broker of choice in the French marketplace.”

Schepens said: “Michel is a highly respected market practitioner in the Dutch and international markets. Throughout his career, he has excelled in achieving strong growth through delivering client-focused solutions. That combination of experience, market insight and service dedication will be integral to continuing to elevate our client offering and reinforcing our position as a leading reinsurance broker in the Dutch market.”

Everest Insurance announce a series of leadership appointments

Everest Insurance has announced four leadership changes to its financial and professional liability business division.

John Humphreys has been appointed head of financial institutions and will have responsibility for leading and developing the financial and professional liability portfolio.  

Humphreys succeeds Charlie Higham, who was promoted to head of financial and professional liability in January.

Matt Gallagher has been named head of executive solutions, taking on responsibility and oversight of the public company D&O portfolio. In this capacity, he will oversee a team of underwriters focused on delivering insurance solutions for public companies.

Gallagher succeeds Alan Lutz, who was recently named national head of strategic relations for Everest Specialty Underwriters.

Ayesha West has been appointed head of cyber liability and will have responsibility and oversight of the Cyber portfolio. She will be responsible for leading the growth and management of cyber liability coverage and solutions across industries.

Meanwhile, Tim Barry has been appointed to the newly created role of head of asset management, reporting to John Humphreys.

Barry will be responsible for driving specialisation and innovation to provide unique insurance solutions to financial institution customers, including investment advisers and mutual fund families.

Charlie Higham said: “We remain committed to providing financial and professional liability insurance solutions backed by superior service. These changes in leadership are a testament to our deep bench of exceptional talent and the focus on aligning top talent to maximize current and future market opportunity.”