Arthur J. Gallagher International has a new leader.

Graham Chilton, who oversaw the sale of Benfield Group to Aon in 2008, will take over as CEO of Gallagher International, the firm reported last week.

The announcement follows the resignation of former CEO David Ross, who left to lead the financially troubled Towergate Group in London.

Chilton, known as “Chily” in the industry, is a well-known figure in London insurance. In addition to building and selling Benfield, Chilton is recognized as the leader of Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers, a specialist venture between Gallagher and Chilton.

“Chily has an outstanding reputation and proven track record as a successful industry leader who understands how to balance the entrepreneurial culture that our business is built on, with the successful running of a large scale organizations,” said Gallagher Chief Executive Patrick Gallagher, Jr.

Chilton praised Gallagher at the announcement of his appointment, saying:

“Arthur J. Gallagher is a great business with great people and I am looking forward to working with the team and getting to know our customers over the coming weeks.

“Being asked to take on this new role, in addition to my existing position within Capsicum Re, demonstrates the strength of the partnership we have built over the past 14 months, and I am excited to be part of the new chapter in the company’s international growth story.”

Ross, the former CEO, had been with Gallagher for 25 years before defecting to rival insurer, Towergate. His resignation followed that of Mark Mugge, who left the post of Gallagher’s international chief financial officer a week earlier.