People Moves: 11 - 15 January 2021

Featuring: Global Risk Partners, Ceta Insurance, Oxford Insurance Brokers, Ballantyne Brokers

GRP appoints new OpCo board member
Global Risk Partners (GRP) has appointed Jane Dale as non-executive director and chair of the governance and audit committee of the Board of GRP’s Operating Company (Global Risk Partners Ltd).

Dale took up her new role at the beginning of January. GRP detailed that her arrival marks the second non-executive director hire for the business in as many months, following digital leader Mark Hepsworth’s appointment as NED in December.

OpCo Board chairman Andy Homer said: “I am delighted to secure someone of Jane’s calibre for this important position within the Group.

“Her skill set and industry knowledge makes her a valuable addition to our highly experienced team of non-executive independent directors on GRP’s board.”

Dale added: “GRP is already a leading player in UK broking and I am looking forward immensely to playing my part in supporting the management team steer the business towards ever greater success.”

Ceta Insurance promotes James O’Hara to commercial director
Ceta Insurance has appointed a new commercial director to head up the company’s commercial and product procurement requirements.

James O’Hara takes on the role having previously been head of procurement at Ceta. He has been part of the firm’s senior management team for the past 11 years.

Ceta CEO Brendan Devine said: “James has played an important part in developing our extensive panel strategy something we want to further develop as we continue to grow and move into new markets, his experience and knowledge will prove invaluable as commercial director for us and we are excited about what he can bring to the role.”

Oxford Insurance Brokers hires to develop cargo and logistics specialism
Oxford Insurance Brokers Limited, (OIB), has  recruited Jonathan Stafford to establish its Cargo and Logistics division.

Stafford was previously at EC3 Brokers, Cooper Gay and Aon Risk Solutions, and starts with immediate effect. He said: “Being part of a larger group will help our new division to deliver on its growth promise. I have a strong client focus and existing and prospective clients will benefit from OIB’s deep expertise and solid back office offering.”

Stafford will report to OIB’s chief operating officer, James Begley, who said: “Jonathan brings us some great client and wider relationships - and his entrepreneurial flair supports our aspirations for growth. Hiring Jonathan forms the initial core of a new Cargo and Logistics capability within OIB.”

Randall Goss, chairman and chief executive officer for U.S. Risk Insurance Group, which is OIB’s parent firm, said: “We remain committed to hiring the best talent in the market and we are delighted to welcome Jonathan to OIB.” 

Ballantyne Brokers boosts senior leadership team
Ballantyne Brokers has announced the completion of its senior leadership team with the appointments of John Harris as COO and Will Moore as finance director. The appointments are effective immediately and are subject to regulatory approval.

The broker stated that Harris has an impressive track record in the management of insurance broker operations, most recently as COO of Decus Insurance brokers, and a member of its executive committee. He has previously spent more than 25 years with Marsh.

It added that Moore is a senior financial professional, having held a variety of senior roles in banking and venture capital in London and New York. During his career he has worked at Accenture, Morgan Stanley and, more recently, as global CFO of Emerging Markets Group at Credit Suisse.

Ballantyne noted that it shortly plans to announce the appointment of a new head of claims subject to the completion of their existing contractual obligations.

Ross Ballantyne commented: “These appointments ensure that our senior management team has an excellent talent base from which to grow our business. They join Ballantyne at an exciting time as we continue to drive our ambitious strategy forward and build on our rapidly growing pipeline of new business opportunities.

“Both John and Will bring outstanding experience and impressive track records, and I look forward to welcoming similar senior broker talent to the team to join us in the near future.”

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