Toni Ferrier, former general manager – Business Solutions & Earthquake Response of Lumley, has joined the Crombie Lockwood group to oversee and expand the company’s Lloyd’s agency Offshore Market Placements Ltd (OMPL).

Ferrier takes on the role following former manager Andrew Beaton’s departure to head up Dual New Zealand’s new property division.

The appointment, which will take effect from Monday 16 February, will stave off rumours circulating that Crombie Lockwood was to wind up OMPL and switch to parent company Arthur J Gallagher’s existing worldwide program.

In a statement released this morning, the company said OMPL now “has the opportunity to capitalise on new parent Arthur J Gallagher’s very long-established Lloyd’s presence.”

Ferrier’s departure from Lumley in November came about after an executive reshuffle prompted by the merger with IAG.

Described as a ‘senior leader with experience across business division turnarounds, restructures and ‘jump starts’ to deliver improvements in profitability and staff engagement’, Ferrier’s initial focus will be on OMPL.

Crombie Lockwood CEO Carl O’Shea said he welcomed Ferrier’s ‘fresh perspective.’

“Toni brings a fresh perspective to our business as a whole and to OMPL in particular,” he said.

“Being big and being good is no excuse to sit on your hands. Toni will help us keep looking afresh at our business and our clients’ needs.”