Cogent, the independent London-based wholesale broker, has appointed Adam Holberry (pictured) as CEO designate, effective October 1, 2026, to lead the business into its next phase of growth.
Holberry will work closely with group chief executive Mark Bishop, alongside Cogent's board and wider leadership team. The company said the appointment supports its long-term ambition to create a leading independent insurance group, while keeping its entrepreneurial culture.
Holberry founded Brace Underwriting, a Beat Capital-backed MGA providing capacity to niche and alternative risk MGAs, in October 2019. As group chief executive, he grew Brace to more than US$120 million in gross written premium in 2023, the year it launched Brace USA, a US arm headquartered in North Carolina. Before Brace, he was head of alternative risk at Hiscox's London market business, and he also held roles at AXIS Capital and Allied World Assurance focused on property and MGA business.
Cogent did not say what the appointment means for Holberry's role at Brace.
"I am delighted to be joining Cogent. The company's independence and entrepreneurial spirit give it a genuinely open, innovative approach to complex risk solutions and now is the time to build on that. I am looking forward to the next chapter of the business' evolution," Holberry said.
A Lloyd's broker since 1986, Cogent places business across the major international markets. Its core classes are international and North American complex commercial and industrial property, energy, aviation, specialty delegated authorities, accident and health, political violence, terrorism, political risk and trade credit.
Bishop has led Cogent as chief executive since 2001, having joined the firm in 1985.
"As Cogent moves into its next phase, our independence, culture and client focus will not change. I remain fully engaged on a day-to-day basis, and Adam Holberry's arrival will give us extra capacity to deliver our growth plans. I am very excited to welcome him to the team," Bishop said.
The appointment brings a founder with a background in building capacity for MGAs and hard-to-place risk to the top of an independent wholesale broker. Specialty delegated authorities is already one of Cogent's core classes, and the company's stated ambition is to build a leading independent insurance group rather than only to grow its broking operation. Cogent has not set out how Holberry's experience will shape that plan, or given a timetable for any leadership transition.
For retail brokers placing specialty, property and political risk business through Cogent, Bishop's continued day-to-day role signals continuity in the near term. Cogent said its focus remains on service, and on investing in the people, relationships and capabilities that will support its growth.
