Round-up of the weekly news and developments from the global (re)insurance market with stories from Oneglobal, Lockton Re, Howden and more.

Oneglobal names Simon Plumridge group chief operating officer

Oneglobal broking has announced the appointment of Simon Plumridge as group chief operating officer, effective 1 July 2021.

Plumridge will join the group executive committee and report to Mike Reynold, group CEO.

Plumridge brings more than three decades of underwriting, operations and distribution experience.

He most recently served as global head of multinational at QBE Limited, having previously held senior roles in underwriting and operations at Zurich, Starr and AIG.

Mike Reynolds, group CEO, Oneglobal commented: “As Oneglobal continues its international expansion, we are building a robust and effective operational framework to ensure the highest level of delivery for our clients. Simon’s industry knowledge of both business development and operations delivery will be invaluable in creating an exceptional infrastructure that will power the next stages of our growth, and I am delighted he is joining our senior team.”

Simon Plumridge, group COO, Oneglobal added: “I have been highly impressed by the ambition and strategy of Oneglobal and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to lead the outstanding operations team here. We are determined to create an environment and infrastructure that underpins Oneglobal’s success and offers the highest quality service to our clients.”

Jonty Davies joins Lockton Re as CEO to lead new Bermuda office

Lockton Re, the reinsurance division of the global broker, has announced the launch of its new Bermuda office and the appointment of Jonathon (Jonty) Davies as CEO of its operations.

Davies joins the firm from Aon Reinsurance Solutions where he most recently served as head of global re specialty Bermuda. He joined Aon in 2006 and held various roles across property, casualty and specialty lines.

In 2010, he moved into the global re specialty unit initially as a mariner, before his focus became property specialty.

Tim Gardner, global CEO, Lockton Re, says: “Bermuda is a key evolution in our strategy, building capability to service both Bermuda based clients as well as supporting our global client offering with Bermuda based expertise.  Jonty’s reputation and experience are a great addition to our formidable team on the Island. Coupled with our strong London based Retrocession and Property Specialty team led by Matt Foreman and the support of Bob Bisset, who recently joined Lockton Re as Chairman for Lockton Re Bermuda, we have created a truly world class team.”

Robert Bisset, chairman, comments: “Great to have Jonty as part of our global team and Bermuda build out, joining other key appointments including Tom Parcell who joined in February as Chief Broking Officer, Vittoria Canale who joined last year as Operations Executive and Tucker Moore who joined in April as a Broker.”

Keith Harrison, International CEO, Lockton Re, said: “Our Bermuda platform is another milestone in the Lockton Re story which has clients and colleagues at its core. Jonty will oversee the development of our Bermuda expansion and connectivity, enhancing Lockton Re’s capabilities for both production and marketing of Global Retrocession, ILW’s, P&C and Specialty lines.”

Nick Durant, North American CEO, Lockton Re, added: “Across Lockton Re we are finding our clear focus on building a great culture, creating industry leading tools and capabilities, and hiring the best people is resonating with clients and supporting our continued growth. We are all looking forward to working with Jonty and the team in Bermuda and supporting this important reinsurance hub.”

Howden appoints Luigi Sturani as CEO, Europe

International insurance broker, Howden has announced the appointment of Luigi Sturani as chief executive officer, Europe and Enrico Nanni, who joins the business as chief commercial officer, Europe, effective 2 June 2021.

Howden states the appointments reflect the continued expansion and investment for the broking group in Europe, including a wave of more than 300 new joiners in the past 24 months.

In these newly created roles, Sturani will lead a diverse regional management team, supported by Louise Cable-Alexander, CEO, Northern Europe, and Danny Sever, CEO of Howden’s Mediterranean region.

The team will be tasked with providing a credible alternative for clients and talent in the region and will oversee more than 1,400 people across Europe, continuing to build by focusing on talent, the acquisition of culturally aligned businesses, and further investment in technology.

Sturani joins the business from Aon in London after 15 years, where he held the positions of CEO Specialty, EMEA and managing director and head of global property and casualty, crisis management. Prior to that, he served at Willis, where he held the role of managing director.

Additionally, Nanni also joins from Aon where he most recently served as chief commercial officer, specialty, EMEA. He joined Aon from Willis in 2006, where he held a number of senior management positions.

José Manuel González, CEO of Howden Broking Group commented: “We are at a critical juncture in the European market. Clients want choice and we believe, as we always have, that to provide for clients you have to first build a home for talent. And as we enter this battle for talent, experienced leaders like Luigi and Enrico choosing Howden is further proof that 26 years of building a unique, entrepreneurial culture is paying off. I cannot think of a better team of people to deliver on our vision for what is very clearly our heartland.” 

Sturani said: “Firstly, I love that Howden wants me to be an entrepreneur in a People First business. They’re not looking for passengers, they’re looking for people who want to build things and that’s honestly unique and incredibly attractive.  Secondly, there is a real clarity of vision; we all want to go back to the basics of broking and distribution – a simple, high-quality service for clients and insurance partners – and we have the energy and agility to do it here.  The blend of Howden’s European retail platform with its London specialty business is particularly distinctive.  It’s a defining moment in the market and there’s no place I’d rather be.”

Lockton Re adds Robert Bisset as chairman, global retrocession & property specialty

Lockton Re, the reinsurance division of the global broker, has announced the appointment of Robert Bisset as chairman, global retrocession and property specialty, Bermuda and market capital, subject to regulatory approval.

Bisset will also become a member of Lockton Re’s Global Executive Committee. Lockton Re states he joins a successful and active global retrocession team, that will be further strengthened by his considerable reputation and market standing. 

Bisset most recently served as strategic growth leader for Aon Reinsurance UK where he focused on driving business development across the firm’s London based global businesses in addition to his retrocessional client responsibilities.

His career began at EW Blanch in 1994 in the US, before joining the EW Blanch Capital Markets division, which took him to London in 1998. Later in 2002 he relocated to Bermuda to assist in the creation of Benefield’s new Bermuda platform and later became CEP of Benfield, then Aon Benfield, Bermuda office. In 2013, he moved back to London in 2013 and led Aon’s global re specialty team as CEO from 2014 to 2019.

Tim Gardner, global chief executive officer (CEO), Lockton Re, said: “We are delighted Bob has joined Lockton Re, his enthusiasm for the business is testament to our culture, strategy and the great team we are building. Bob brings three decades of experience in the Industry, having worked in the US, Sydney, Bermuda and London, he has a unique and valuable market perspective.

“Bob will support the strategic growth of Lockton Re as we continue to garner great support from clients and markets across the reinsurance world.”

Keith Harrison, International CEO, Lockton Re, commented: “Bob is a great addition to our global team, he will be supporting the ongoing expansion of our Global Retrocession and Property Specialty offering as well as playing a key role in our new Bermuda operation and growing Market Capital capability.

“Bob will work with Lockton Re colleagues and clients across the business and will be based in our London office. I’m excited to be welcoming Bob to the business and our Management team.”

Nick Durant, North American CEO, Lockton Re, added: “In a relatively short period of time we have built a global reinsurance platform that is resonating with both global and regional clients. We are clearly focused on our next phase of growth and I look forward to working with Bob as we continue on this great journey.”

LSM hires François Barriol as senior terrorism underwriter

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group has appointed François Barriol as senior underwriter terrorism and political violence for France, effectively immediately.

In his new role, he will be responsible for underwriting terrorism and political violence risks and developing the portfolio for France. He will report to Joanna Hitchcock, head of war and terrorism – continental Europe and Richard Deguettes, managing director of LSM France.

Prior to joining LSM, Barriol launched the political violence and terrorism underwriting lines for Hiscox in France and French-speaking Africa before joining the Crisis Management underwriting team in 2020.

Hitchcock, commented: “I am extremely pleased to have François join the European Terrorism team. His extensive knowledge and experience of the French market offers a wealth of opportunity for Liberty. With his skill set, we plan to develop our product range to become more relevant to our French clients and brokers.”