Insurtech Insights takes a closer look at the latest key appointments and what they signal about the evolving landscape of insurance.
Company: Marsh McLennan
Move: Marsh McLennan Names Sofia Gardefjord as Chief Commercial Officer for the Nordics
Marsh McLennan has appointed Sofia Gardefjord as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for the Nordics, where she will lead commercial initiatives, strengthen client relationships, and enhance collaboration across Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman.
Gardefjord brings 15 years of experience in financial services, with expertise in risk management and private equity. She joins Marsh McLennan from Oliver Wyman, where she served as Principal. Her previous experience includes analyst roles at Deutsche Bank and Investor AB.
In her new role, Gardefjord will focus on driving strategic growth and client engagement across the Nordic region, reinforcing Marsh McLennan’s presence in the market.
Company: Gallagher Re
Move: Gallagher Re’s James Vickers to Retire After 50-Year Career
James Vickers, Chairman of Gallagher Re’s International division, will retire on May 31, 2025, after an illustrious career spanning over 47 years in the reinsurance industry.
Vickers has been an integral figure in Gallagher Re, offering leadership and support to clients, particularly in Japan and internationally, during times of natural catastrophes, de-tariffication, and global expansion. He has played a pivotal role in the growth of Gallagher Re’s International platform across Asia, EMEA, and Latin America.
His contributions to catastrophe and actuarial modelling in the 1990s laid the foundation for the firm’s advanced analytical capabilities, while strengthening relationships with academic institutions to provide deeper risk insights for clients. Vickers has also represented Gallagher Re and the broader reinsurance industry in the trade press.
Company: Aon
Move: Aon Appoints Wesley Roy as Head of Property for Australia and New Zealand
Aon has named Wesley Roy as Head of Property, Australia and New Zealand, for its Reinsurance Solutions division. Based in Sydney, Roy will lead property best practices, helping clients navigate the complexities of the property reinsurance market and make more informed risk decisions across the region.
Roy brings over 20 years of experience in the re/insurance sector, with expertise spanning operations, underwriting, broking, placement, client management, and risk program management. He joins Aon from Hollard Insurance Australia, where he most recently served as Head of Reinsurance, overseeing both internal and external treaty and facultative reinsurance arrangements.
In his new role, Roy will play a key part in strengthening Aon’s property reinsurance capabilities in Australia and New Zealand, supporting clients in a rapidly evolving risk landscape.
Company: HDI Global
Move: HDI Global Appoints Geoff Godwin as Chief Operating Officer
HDI Global, a commercial and specialty lines insurer, has announced the appointment of Geoff Godwin as Chief Operating Officer, effective April 28, 2025.
Godwin will join the Executive Team and report to Stephanie Ogden, Chief Executive Officer of HDI Global UK and Ireland. Ogden expressed her excitement about the appointment, noting that Godwin will bring fresh thinking to the business at a critical time when service and operational excellence are central to the company’s growth strategy. She is confident that, alongside the rest of the executive team, Godwin will contribute significantly to the company’s success in 2025 and beyond.
Before joining HDI Global, Godwin spent 16 years at AIG, holding various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer. As a member of AIG’s Executive Committee, he oversaw several key operations, including UK Operations, Customer Contact Centre, Underwriting Operations, and Product Development.
Company: Spectrum.Life
Move: Spectrum.Life Appointments Andrew Macadam as VP of Customer Operations
Spectrum.Life, a global partner in digital whole-of-health solutions, has announced the appointment of Andrew Macadam as Vice President of Customer Operations.
Macadam brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including Global Managing Director at Microsoft for Startups, to lead key operational and customer-focused initiatives at Spectrum.Life.
In his new role, Macadam will oversee client delivery, marketing and non-clinical operations, while driving the company’s business systems, tendering processes, and project management frameworks. He will also play a pivotal role in transforming Spectrum.Life’s end-to-end product lifecycle, reinforcing its position as a leading global provider of innovative mental health and wellbeing solutions.
Company: WoodmenLife
Move: WoodmenLife Appoints Ben Janecek as Director, Enterprise Risk Management
WoodmenLife has announced the promotion of Ben Janecek to Director of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). Janecek, who joined the company in 2020 as part of the Product Development team in the Actuarial division, was previously promoted to Manager of ERM in 2023.
Before joining WoodmenLife, Janecek held actuarial roles at Ameritas and Pacific Life. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a major in Actuarial Science, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2018. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), a Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA), and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).
Company: Vantage
Move: Vantage Appoints Chelsea Law as Northeast Region Distribution Leader
Vantage Risk Companies has appointed Chelsea B. Law as Northeast Region Distribution Leader, effective immediately. Based in New York, she will report to Leanne Berry, Chief Distribution Officer.
In her new role, Law will be responsible for driving profitable growth with retail and wholesale brokers across the Northeast. As a key member of Vantage’s Insurance Distribution team, she will collaborate closely with underwriting teams to maintain and execute the company’s regional distribution strategy.
Kim joined NFP in 2020 as Senior Vice President and Legal and Technical Leader for the Financial Institutions Group, later becoming Managing Director and Head of the Financial Institutions Group in 2022. Prior to NFP, she held the role of AVP, Claims Practice Leader – Financial Institutions at QBE North America and also served as an Attorney at Wilson Elser.
Company: Stoïk
Move: Stoïk Appoints Thomas Renaud as Country Manager for France
Stoïk has announced the appointment of Thomas Renaud as Country Manager for France, succeeding the company’s CEO in the role.
The decision comes as Stoïk’s French and German operations continue to expand, with Germany showing exceptional growth under Franziska’s leadership. Recognising the need for greater independence within the French team, the CEO has opted to focus on hiring, new expansions, and investor and insurer relations, while entrusting France’s leadership to Renaud.
Renaud joined Stoïk in September 2022 and has played a key role in shaping the company’s success. Over 2.5 years, he built a portfolio of 1,000 policies with brokers in Western France, demonstrating his ability to drive growth and strengthen broker relationships.
His primary mission will be to maintain France as Stoïk’s top market, even as the company’s German operations gain momentum. Meanwhile, Stoïk’s CEO remains fully committed to the company’s broader vision of becoming Europe’s leading cyber-insurance provider.
Company: Solera Holdings
Move: Solera Holdings Appoints Sonia Javed as Vice President of Marketing Strategy, North America
Solera Holdings, LLC has named Sonia Javed as Vice President of Marketing Strategy, North America. In her new role, Javed will lead innovative marketing strategies, drive business growth, and collaborate with teams across Solera and the broader industry.
A data-driven marketing leader with expertise in revenue optimization and eCommerce growth, Javed brings a strong track record of success to her new position. She has been recognized for her contributions with the President’s Award and is known for implementing high-impact marketing strategies that enhance brand presence and customer engagement.
Javed expressed her excitement about the opportunity, emphasising her commitment to developing forward-thinking marketing initiatives and contributing to Solera’s continued success.
Company: Alliant Insurance Services
Move: Adrienne Johnson Joins Alliant Insurance Services as Vice President in Employee Benefits Group
Alliant Insurance Services has appointed Adrienne Johnson as Vice President within its Employee Benefits Group, strengthening its Southeast benefits team. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Johnson will provide strategic employee benefits solutions to clients across the Southeast and nationwide.
Bringing 20 years of experience in the employee benefits sector, Johnson has held roles as an analyst, consultant, and group leader. Her expertise includes healthcare cost management, benchmarking, population health strategies, and compliance, allowing her to develop tailored solutions that maximize value for clients.
With a deep understanding of the evolving healthcare landscape and vendor market, Johnson’s appointment reinforces Alliant’s commitment to delivering innovative, cost-effective benefits programs to businesses across diverse industries.
Company: Allianz UK
Move: Phuong Ly Appointed as Commercial Managing Director for Allianz UK
Allianz Commercial has named Phuong Ly as Commercial Managing Director UK, effective April 3, 2025, pending regulatory approval. In his new role, Ly will oversee Allianz’s commercial insurance operations across digital, mid-market, large corporate, engineering inspection, legal protection, and fleet business.
Ly joins Allianz UK from his current role in Australia, where he has gained extensive experience in commercial insurance. His leadership is expected to further strengthen and unify Allianz’s commercial teams, ensuring continued trusted relationships, local expertise, and global support for brokers and clients in the UK.Under Ly’s direction, Allianz aims to enhance its commercial offerings, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of tailored insurance solutions for businesses across the region.
Company: TransRe
Move: TransRe Promotes Rose and Rhodes as Andy Taylor Announces Retirement
TransRe, a subsidiary of Alleghany Corporation, has announced key leadership changes with the promotion of Louise Rose to President of International and Kyle Rhodes to President of the Americas, as Andy Taylor prepares to retire on May 31, 2025. Both Rose and Rhodes will report to Paul McKeon, President of Global Underwriting.
Rose, a 28-year veteran at TransRe, will succeed Taylor as President of International, overseeing the company’s London, EMEA, and Asia Pacific business units. In her new role, she will drive strategic direction, ensure consistency in underwriting decisions, and strengthen relationships with regional clients and brokers.
Rhodes, stepping into the role of President of the Americas, will lead TransRe’s operations across North and South America, further solidifying the company’s market presence in the region.
Taylor’s retirement marks the end of a distinguished career, during which he played a pivotal role in expanding TransRe’s international footprint. His leadership has helped shape the company’s global reinsurance strategy, leaving a strong foundation for Rose and Rhodes to build upon.
Company: Lenox
Move: Lenox Advisors Appoints Kristi Vassak as Chief Operating Officer
New York, NY – Lenox Advisors, an affiliate of NFP and Aon, has announced the appointment of Kristi Vassak as Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Vassak, who joined Lenox Advisors in 2005, has previously led the company’s Business and Strategic Solutions division. Over the years, she has demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to operational excellence, helping to drive the company’s success.
In her new role, Vassak will take on a pivotal leadership position, focusing on advancing Lenox’s core vision, overseeing strategic initiatives, and scaling operations to improve efficiency and productivity. Her efforts will ensure that Lenox Advisors is positioned for continued growth and success in the wealth management and insurance advisory sectors.
Company: Tokio Marine HCC International
Move: Tokio Marine HCC International Appoints Stuart Heath as Head of Distribution – International
Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC) International, part of the global Tokio Marine HCC group based in Houston, Texas, has appointed Stuart Heath as Head of Distribution – International.
In this newly created role, Heath will be responsible for developing new distribution relationships and enhancing existing ones for TMHCC International’s portfolio of specialty products across the UK and Europe.
Heath will collaborate closely with TMHCC International’s business units, driving coordination and resource sharing across the region. Reporting to Simon Button, Chief Underwriting Officer, he will work to improve the company’s offerings to clients, brokers, and reinsurance partners, ensuring greater efficiency and knowledge-sharing within the network.
