People
People Moves: 23 – 27 June 2025
Follow the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Shuker moves to deputy chair, succeeded by Kennedy as CEO of Howden UK and Ireland
Robert Kennedy has been named CEO of Howden UK and Ireland to take up the role on 1 October, when Carl Shuker will become deputy chairman.
Start-up broker adds director for bitcoin mining and AI compute
Start-up insurance broker Native has hired George Frith as divisional director of bitcoin mining and AI compute.
Ventis expands into Scotland
Commercial and residential real estate managing general agent Ventis has launched in Scotland, under the leadership of Karen Feeney.
Blog: Counting up the commercial longevity
Which is longer: the average tenure of a FTSE 100 CEO or that of a commercial insurance leader? Emmanuel Kenning calculates the numbers and finds a surprisingly short job-title occupancy in the sector.
RAC partners with telematics insurtech on connected motor products
RAC Insurance has partnered with Ticker, a telematics insurance specialist, to licence and distribute a suite of connected motor insurance products aimed at consumers.
DLG CEO Winslow and CFO Poole to exit in Aviva takeover management reshuffle
Adam Winslow, CEO of Direct Line Group, will exit when the takeover by Aviva goes through.
Birmingham regional review: Highly competitive market
Birmingham’s central location in the country creates opportunities for investment and growth, according to experts in the highly competitive broker market, with recruitment flagged as the main challenge.
Cowbell targets cyber insurance education to increase uptake
Simon Hughes, senior vice-president of global distribution at Cowbell, looks to grow the cyber insurance market by educating brokers, as the UK team continues to expand.
Hiscox creates new HNW trading director role
Hiscox UK has appointed Matt Perkin to the new role of trading director for high net worth, art and collections.
FCA warns of Brighton broker clone
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned of a clone claiming to be Brighton-based Premium Wise Insurance Brokers.
People Moves: 16 – 20 June 2025
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
Allianz confirms broker commitment amid job losses
Allianz has promised no disruption to the way it serves brokers and reiterated its long-term commitment to the sector as it goes through the process of cutting 650 jobs in the UK.
Allianz confirms 650 job cuts in UK
Allianz is to cut 650 jobs in the UK, just over 10% of its workforce, by the end of 2025.
Lycetts to invest more in technology, with opportunities in softening market – Barclay
Ian Barclay, CEO of Lycetts, told Insurance Age the broker is investing in technology whilst keeping face-to-face relationships with clients, as he sees opportunities in a softening market.
Liberty Specialty Markets creates director of UK retail role in restructure
Liberty Specialty Markets has named Dermot Walsh, currently head of commercial property, as director of UK retail.
Broking Success: One team
James Godsall, managing director of generalist broker Jukes Insurance, on bringing teams together and maintaining a high street-type presence while moving the broker to 50/50 commercial and personal lines.
Cyber provider Cowbell hires director of claims in the UK
Cowbell, a provider of cyber insurance for SMEs and middle-market business, has recruited Kirsten Maley from CFC for the newly created role of director of claims UK.
David Howden awarded CBE in King’s Birthday Honours List
The founder and CEO of the Howden Group, David Howden, was included in the King’s Birthday Honours List over the weekend.
ERS promotes Annie Ward to head up bespoke personal lines and agriculture
ERS has promoted Annie Ward to head of bespoke personal lines and agriculture from being product manager for bespoke personal lines.
CFC recruits Markel stalwart Line as next CUO
Specialist insurer CFC has announced that Nick Line will take over as chief underwriting officer in 2026, after 28 years at Markel where he has held the role of CUO since 2018.
People Moves: 9 – 13 June 2025
Keep up to date with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
SRG names ex-Lockton and Marsh boss Nimmo as first UK CEO
Specialist Risk Group has recruited Neil Nimmo as its first CEO – UK, effective immediately.
Ex rugby and NFL star to lead MGA’s UK and EU growth
Former NY Jets and Saracens player Hayden Smith has been promoted to regional CEO of MGA United Risk to oversee the expansion of its EU, UK and British Commonwealth business.