This week’s appointments include a new UK retail chief at a global broker, a marine leadership handover, underwriting and claims changes at a London market carrier, and new commercial and technology leaders at a mutual and a start-up insurer.
Acrisure has appointed Andy Tedstone (pictured, left) as chief executive of its UK retail business, effective April 2027. He has been chief executive of Cobra Network, part of PIB Group, since July 2019. He was previously PIB’s broking and placement director and held senior roles at Gallagher and Jelf. He sits on BIBA’s main board, chairing its networks and MGA advisory board.
Andrew Boyce, who has led the business as interim chief executive, will return to his role as executive vice president of Acrisure International.
“Andy is a highly respected leader with deep experience of the UK insurance market and a strong track record of building successful businesses,” said Jason Howard, president of international insurance solutions and global markets at Acrisure.
Tedstone brings network and placement experience to a business that has grown largely by acquisition. Independent brokers can expect Acrisure to keep investing in UK retail, and Cobra Network members will be watching who succeeds him.
Price Forbes has appointed Anthony Burnell-Nugent as chief executive of marine, with Paul Kearns becoming chairman of the division after more than 20 years at the firm. Burnell-Nugent joined in September from Miller, where he spent more than 13 years and had been head of hull since 2018. He has also held senior roles at Gallagher.
John Thompson, chief executive of Price Forbes Broking, described Burnell-Nugent as an outstanding market professional well placed to lead the division’s next phase.
A hull specialist at the helm strengthens Price Forbes in a marine market made volatile by geopolitical risk. Kearns’s move to chairman gives continuity.
MSIG UK has named Tim Harris interim chief underwriting officer, subject to regulatory approval. He has filled the role on an interim basis since September 7, after John Moffatt’s departure, having been deputy chief underwriting officer.
Meanwhile, Stephanie Belcourt joins as claims director. She previously headed complex claims at Rokstone, after many years at Apollo and Hiscox. Both join the executive committee.
Chief executive Martyn Rodden said the insurer’s underwriting strategy, appetite and ambitions were unchanged.
Rodden’s reassurance on appetite matters for brokers and MGA partners using MSIG UK’s open market and Dual Stamp capacity with MS Amlin. A dedicated claims director should strengthen service on complex losses.
Pinion Insurance, a London specialty carrier formed this year, has appointed Robert Carlaw (pictured, centre) as chief technical officer. He joins from SMS Solutions, where he was head of architecture and software engineering, and will lead development of Pinion’s Sarrus platform.
Sarrus gives managing general agent (MGA) and reinsurance partners daily portfolio visibility and audit-ready reporting.
Co-founder and group chief technology officer Laura Baird said Pinion wanted to bring in talent from more technology-advanced industries. The hire follows the appointments of a US chief executive, a US chief underwriting officer and a group chief financial officer earlier this year.
Daily portfolio data for MGA partners addresses a longstanding weakness in delegated authority reporting, where bordereaux often run weeks behind.
Shepherds Friendly, the Manchester mutual marking its bicentenary this year, has appointed Dan Simpson (pictured, right) as chief commercial officer. He has been chief innovation officer since 2021. He will bring together sales, partnerships, protection product and marketing teams to grow the intermediary business.
This year, the mutual has added distribution deals with Primis Mortgage Network and The Right DA Club.
Simpson said his priorities were supporting advisers, strengthening intermediary relationships and broadening the protection proposition.
For protection advisers, one leader across product, sales and partnerships should make it easier to shape products around adviser needs, as the mutual targets the income protection gap highlighted in its own research this month.
