The insurance industry has seen several significant appointments and partnerships this week, with key players like Rokstone, Gallagher and Westfield Specialty making strategic moves to enhance their market presence.
Gallagher has appointed Clare Francis (pictured above, left) as an independent non-executive director. Francis’ extensive background in the financial sector includes her most recent position as CEO of Standard Chartered in the UK and her long tenure at Lloyds Bank and HSBC.
As part of her role at Gallagher, Francis will chair the remuneration committee and join the nominations, audit and risk committees.
Gallagher CEO Michael Rea highlighted Francis’ expertise in leading large financial institutions through periods of significant growth, adding that her insights would be invaluable as the company continues to build on its success.
Westfield Specialty International has strengthened its offshore energy team with the appointment of Michael Poulteney (pictured above, centre) as class underwriter and Manraj Kailia (pictured above, right) as senior underwriter. Both will be based in London, with Michael reporting to Jon Hamilton, head of Marine and Energy.
Poulteney, who joins from Arch Insurance after a 10-year tenure, brings over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, including his role as head of offshore energy at Arch. Kailia, who spent seven years at Arch, began his insurance career as part of the Lloyd’s graduate scheme. The two new hires are part of Westfield’s ongoing investment in expanding its offshore energy capabilities.
Rokstone, the international specialty re/insurance MGA, part of the Aventum Group, has announced the appointment of Matt Bishop as class underwriter in its newly established UK and Ireland casualty division.
Bishop, who brings 35 years of experience in casualty insurance across the regional composite, Lloyd’s and London markets, joins Rokstone after serving as senior underwriter at Convex for five years. His expertise includes UK and Ireland casualty, property and business interruption. Before Convex, he spent 14 years at Catlin/AXA XL, where he was a cross-class underwriter and portfolio manager.
The appointment follows the recent hiring of Lewis Goodearl, also formerly of Convex, to head the casualty division. The division, supported by A-rated Lloyd’s capacity, will focus on a range of products, including employers' liability, public liability, contractors all risks, and property.
