People Moves: Industry Appointment Round-Up
People Moves: Industry Appointment Round-Up
The insurance industry is experiencing a wave of activity, with recent executive appointments and departures sparking notable shifts. From leadership changes at major insurers to strategic hires at startups, the sector is in a period of significant transition.

Company: Arch Insurance

Move: Elizabeth Thompson Appointed as Offshore Energy Underwriting Manager and James Brown as Senior Energy Advisor

Arch Insurance International, part of Bermuda-based Arch Capital Group, has promoted Elizabeth Thompson to Offshore Energy Underwriting Manager and appointed James Brown as Senior Energy Advisor. Both will be based in London, reporting to Jake Gibbs, Head of Marine and Energy. These appointments take effect immediately.

In her new role, Thompson will oversee underwriting activities for Arch’s London Market offshore energy portfolio, covering both conventional and renewable sectors. A Senior Offshore Energy Underwriter since 2019, Thompson brings expertise honed at Arch and previously Chaucer.

Brown, with over 30 years of experience, will support the underwriting team by assessing risks and developing solutions for the evolving energy landscape. Most recently, he worked in an advisory role with Kita and previously led natural resources at Chaucer. Gibbs emphasised the significance of these appointments in driving growth and enhancing Arch’s service offering in the dynamic energy market.

Company: Marsh Asia

Move: Martin Beck Promoted as Energy Transition Leader and Jones as Renewable Energy Leader

Marsh, a leading insurance broker and risk advisor, has appointed Martin Beck as Energy Transition Leader and Robert Jones as Renewable Energy Leader for Marsh Asia. Both will be based in Singapore and play key roles in advancing Marsh’s capabilities in the energy sector across the region.

Beck, with over five years at Marsh Asia, previously served as Renewable Energy Practice Leader since 2019. Prior to joining Marsh Asia, he worked at Marsh GmbH in Hamburg as a Key Client Advisor for Offshore Wind and began his career in renewable energy at Pantaenius Versicherungsmakler in 2006.

Jones has been with Marsh Asia since 2020, most recently serving as Asia Renewable Energy Placement Leader. He previously held leadership roles at Bowring Marsh Asia and WTW, where he gained extensive experience in construction and renewable energy. Their appointments underscore Marsh’s commitment to supporting clients navigating the energy transition and renewable energy landscape.

Company: Zurich Insurance

Move: Debra Burford Appointed as Global Head of Financial Lines, Cyber, and Credit Lines Claims

Zurich Insurance has named Debra Burford as Global Head of Financial Lines, Cyber, and Credit Lines Claims. In her new role, Burford will join the Global Large & Complex Claims team, focusing on driving excellence and delivering top-tier claims services worldwide. She will work closely with Claims and Underwriting teams to uphold Zurich’s high service standards for its customers.

Burford brings nearly two decades of experience to the role, having joined Zurich in 2019 as Chief Underwriting Officer. Most recently, she served as Regional Chief Underwriting Officer for the Asia-Pacific region, where she contributed to Zurich’s strategic growth in key markets.

Before joining Zurich, Burford spent seven years at AIG, where she held the position of Head of Liabilities AIG Singapore. Her earlier career includes roles at ASL, Fisher Jeffries, and ANZ, showcasing her deep expertise in financial and liability lines.

Company: WTW

Move: Mark Mamone Appointed to Lead Insurance Technology Strategy

WTW has named Mark Mamone as Head of Technology Delivery and Strategy for its Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT) business. With 37 years of experience in technology and leadership roles, Mamone will drive the strategic development of WTW’s software delivery processes and oversee a suite of insurance technology solutions, including Radar, Igloo, ResQ, Unify, and RiskAgility. He will also manage ICT’s platform and security teams and its broader architecture.

Before joining WTW, Mamone served as Group Chief Information Officer at GBG, leading over 500 technology professionals in product management, engineering, and information security. His career includes leadership roles at Serco, BAE, and BT, showcasing his expertise in driving innovation and operational excellence across industries.

Duncan Anderson, WTW’s Global Leader of Insurance Technology, praised Mamone’s appointment, citing his outstanding track record in software delivery and growth through innovation. Mamone expressed his excitement for the role, emphasising his commitment to enhancing WTW’s technology capabilities and delivering exceptional value to clients.

Company: Howden Re

Move: Alexandre Veber and Adrien de Tessières appointed to strengthen International Team

Howden Re, the reinsurance division of Howden, has bolstered its International team with the appointments of Alexandre Veber as Director, Broking & Structured Solutions, and Adrien de Tessières as Managing Director, Analytics for France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Casualty in Europe. These strategic hires underline Howden Re’s commitment to delivering innovative and data-driven solutions across Continental Europe.

Veber joins from Wakam, where he served as Chief of Reinsurance. His extensive background includes roles as Head of Risk, Reinsurance, and Audit at La Parisienne Assurances, along with positions at PwC, AXA, and CNP Assurances. De Tessières brings 25 years of experience in reinsurance pricing, actuarial consulting, and M&A, having previously worked as an independent actuarial consultant and Chief Pricing Actuary for M&A at Catalina Re, as well as holding senior positions at Axis, GE Frankona, and AXA.

Tobias Andersson, Head of Continental Europe at Howden Re International, welcomed the pair, stating, “Alex and Adrien’s appointments strengthen our France, Belgium, and Luxembourg-focused team. Their expertise reflects our dedication to providing entrepreneurial and innovative solutions for clients in this rapidly evolving market.”

Company: ManyPets

Move: Shane Larkin Named as New CMO

Award-winning pet insurance brand ManyPets has appointed Shane Larkin as its new Chief Marketing Officer, following a strategic shift led by Group CEO Luisa Barile. Larkin will focus on driving market share growth and expanding the brand’s presence across the UK.

Larkin brings over 25 years of experience in financial services marketing, product, and commercial management. Most recently, he served as Marketing & Proposition Director at Sky, where he launched the insurance brand Sky Protect. He also held senior roles at RSA, Bupa Global, and the insurtech Neos. Commenting on his new role, Larkin said, “Pets are such an important part of the family, and it’s clear that insurance can play a crucial role in helping pet parents keep their pets healthy. I’m thrilled to join ManyPets at such an exciting time to evolve the brand and attract more customers across the UK.”

CEO Luisa Barile highlighted the company’s commitment to meeting the changing needs of pet owners as advancements in veterinary care and rising pet health costs reshape the market. “ManyPets aims to be at the center of enabling innovative care and healthy choices for pet parents,” she said. Larkin’s appointment marks the end of a transformative period for ManyPets, positioning the business for continued growth and innovation in the UK market.

Company: AON

Move: Puneet Swani Appointed as Head of Talent Solutions for Asia Pacific

Aon plc has announced the appointment of Puneet Swani as Head of Talent Solutions for Asia Pacific. Based in Singapore, Swani will report to Tim Dwyer, Head of Human Capital for Asia Pacific at Aon. In this role, he will lead the delivery of Aon’s Talent Solutions in the region, collaborating with the Talent, Health, and Wealth Solutions teams to provide integrated human capital strategies to clients.

Swani brings over 25 years of experience in human resources consulting to the role. Before joining Aon, he was a Senior Partner for the international region at Mercer, where he focused on helping organizations optimize their workforce strategies. His expertise in addressing talent challenges and delivering data-driven solutions makes him well-suited to strengthen Aon’s capabilities in the Asia Pacific market.

“Talent Solutions are critical to our clients’ success,” said Tim Dwyer. “By helping clients attract, retain, and develop their talent, we empower them to build stronger, more adaptable, and motivated workforces.” Swani echoed this sentiment, stating, “I am excited to join Aon and work with its talented team to deliver scalable solutions that mitigate people risks and enable organisations to create resilient workforces.”

Company: BOIT

Move: Braj Bhusan Kumar Appointed as Co-Founder and CEO

BOIT Global, a leading Insurtech company specializing in Intelligent Automation for Life, Health, and General Insurance, has appointed Braj Bhusan Kumar as its Co-Founder and CEO. With over 20 years of experience in technology innovation and digital transformation, Kumar is set to lead BOIT’s mission to revolutionize the insurance industry. A Yale School of Management alumnus, he has spearheaded digital transformation projects for over 200 insurers worldwide, positioning him to drive the company’s growth and innovation.

Under Kumar’s leadership, BOIT aims to reshape the insurance landscape by embedding AI and intelligent automation into operations, delivering smarter, more efficient solutions. “We aim to empower insurers to innovate and optimize their processes, delivering unmatched value to their customers,” Kumar stated, highlighting BOIT’s focus on continuous innovation and leveraging AI to transform the industry. His vision underscores the company’s commitment to aligning technology with customer-centric strategies to unlock new opportunities.

BOIT’s robust Insurtech portfolio offers cutting-edge solutions designed to address critical industry challenges, including omnichannel customer engagement, fraud management, and intelligent case processing. With AI-powered tools for policy servicing, claims management, and document automation, BOIT ensures operational efficiency, accuracy, and compliance for insurers. By integrating seamlessly with existing systems, BOIT empowers insurers to modernise processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and navigate the evolving insurance landscape with agility.

Company: Resilience

Move: Leadership Promotions Announced Amid Accelerated Growth

Resilience, a leading provider of integrated cyber risk solutions, has announced key leadership promotions as it continues its rapid global expansion. With its industry-leading loss ratio, enhanced cyber risk management software, and an expanded underwriting capacity of $20 million, the company is positioning itself for significant growth in 2025 and beyond. Resilience’s innovative approach to quantifying and managing cyber risk has earned it recognition as Cyber MGA of the Year by ZyWave and a best-in-class rating by SC Media.

The company has consolidated its insurance operations under George Kotsiopoulos, who has been named President, Insurance. George, a seasoned insurance executive, will lead Resilience’s global underwriting strategy, capacity partnerships, and actuarial functions while continuing to oversee global distribution and strategy. Gavin Reed has been promoted to Head of Underwriting for North America, bringing over 20 years of experience as a broker and underwriter. Since joining Resilience, Gavin has played a pivotal role in building the company’s presence on the West Coast and co-leading the US Underwriting team.

Resilience’s leadership team credits its success to a deep talent pool and a mission-driven approach. “Our mission is simple: help clients become resilient to material losses,” said Vishaal “V8” Hariprasad, CEO of Resilience. Mario Vitale, President of Resilience, added, “Our ability to promote from within, with leaders like George, Gavin, Sarah, and Jack, underscores our commitment to enhancing the way we serve broker partners and clients.” These appointments reflect Resilience’s dedication to breaking silos between cybersecurity and insurance to offer holistic risk management solutions.

Company: Lawley

Move: Four New Partners Appointed to Expand Leadership Team

Lawley, a leading insurance provider based in Buffalo, New York, has announced the appointment of four new partners as part of its ongoing expansion and commitment to excellence in the industry. The new partners bring a wealth of expertise in various sectors, reinforcing Lawley’s position as a trusted leader in the insurance field.

Michael Jantzi II, who has been involved in the insurance and business development sectors since 2010, brings over a decade of experience as an employee benefits consultant. Michael Knott leads Lawley’s healthcare practice group and specializes in medical malpractice insurance and commercial lines coverage. Kevin Ross, a leader in Lawley’s property and casualty segments, focuses on affordable housing, construction trades insurance, and real estate development. Lastly, Michael Ross, with extensive experience in property and casualty insurance, previously founded a wholesale business and collaborated with numerous entrepreneurs in the insurance field.

These appointments highlight Lawley’s ongoing growth and the dedication of its leadership team to providing innovative, comprehensive solutions for clients across a range of industries.

Company: Prudential PLC

Move: Ray Farris Appointed as Chief Economist

Prudential plc has announced the appointment of Ray Farris as Chief Economist, a newly created role within the company. Farris, who will also serve as Chief Economist at Eastspring Investments, Prudential’s asset management arm, will drive economic analysis and provide macroeconomic insights to guide both Prudential and Eastspring’s strategic decisions.

Based in Singapore, Farris brings over 30 years of experience as an economist and strategist with international financial services firms. He has held key leadership roles, including Global Chief Economist at Credit Suisse, where he spent 22 years shaping economic research across three continents. In his new role, Farris will focus on offering macroeconomic perspectives that align with an evolving global economic landscape, shaping investment and asset allocation decisions at Eastspring.

Bill Maldonado, CEO of Eastspring Investments, expressed confidence in Farris’ ability to navigate the current period of economic uncertainty, stating that his deep expertise will support the company’s investment teams and enhance financial outcomes for clients. Farris’ extensive career, which includes roles as Chief Investment Officer for South Asia and Head of Asia Economics at Credit Suisse, equips him with the expertise to strengthen Prudential’s economic insights as it faces dynamic global challenges.

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