A series of senior appointments have been announced across the UK insurance and re/insurance market, spanning broking, carrier operations, trade representation, specialist legal services and marine consultancy.
Covéa Insurance has appointed Stephen Long (pictured, left) as chief operating officer (COO), following unanimous support from the company’s board. The move formally recognises the strategic importance of Long’s existing remit within the organisation.
Long’s responsibilities will remain unchanged. He will continue to lead Covéa’s claims, operations, IT and customer functions and retain his position on the executive committee. As COO, he will continue to focus on operating a lean and agile organisation, maintaining the service and claims handling standards associated with the Covéa brand, and ensuring the firm’s ongoing commitment to strong Consumer Duty outcomes.
Long is in his 25th year with Covéa Insurance, having joined in 2001 as a graduate trainee. He has since held a wide range of roles across the business, gaining insight into all aspects of the operation and illustrating the company’s focus on internal progression.
"I'm delighted to be taking on the COO role and working with Philippe and the rest of the Executive team in taking Covéa forward in the next phase of our strategy," said Long. "We have a really bright and exciting future ahead and I look forward to playing my part as COO.”
Consilium has appointed Henrietta Burgess (pictured centre) as partner - international casualty risk solutions, further strengthening its international casualty proposition.
Burgess brings nearly a decade of specialist casualty experience, with a track record in complex international placements. She joins from BMS and has previously held roles at Ambris, Gallagher and JLT Re, where she spent seven years developing particular expertise in life sciences, healthcare and casualty business across Australia, Canada, the UK, Latin America and the Middle East.
“We’re delighted to welcome Henrietta to Consilium. She is a highly regarded broker with deep technical expertise and strong market relationships, and her arrival further strengthens our ability to deliver for clients across key international Casualty lines," Peter Coleman, CEO of Consilium, said.
Pro Legal, the specialist legal services business supporting the insurance and delegated authority market, has appointed Darren Goldthorpe (pictured, right) as legal director – legacy, effective immediately.
Goldthorpe brings more than two decades of legal and insurance‑sector experience. He joins from Kennedys, where he was a partner specialising in complex disease and illness claims. He has previously held senior roles at DAC Beachcroft and BC Legal, where he helped build and lead teams handling complex, high‑volume claims portfolios for insurer clients.
Goldthorpe will lead the development and delivery of Pro Legal's legacy offering, working with insurers, MGAs and other stakeholders on complex run-off portfolios.
"The legacy market is becoming increasingly complex, and I'm looking forward to bringing my experience in claims strategy, technology and dispute resolution to help clients manage legacy portfolios more effective," Goldthorpe said. "Pro Legal has a strong reputation for combining technical expertise with a commercial, client-focused approach, and I’m excited to be part of shaping the next phase of its legacy offering.”
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has appointed Lesley Maxwell as regional manager North.
Maxwell, who joins the association on May 11, will be responsible for the strategic development of the region and relationship management across Yorkshire, the North East, Scotland, the North West and Northern Ireland. She will manage relationships with new and existing members, promote BIBA’s work throughout the region and feed members’ priorities back into the association.
“I have enjoyed a varied career in the insurance industry, and one constant throughout has been BIBA," said Maxwell. "It is therefore an absolute honour to join the organisation. I am committed to building on the strong foundations already in place and look forward to working closely with our valued members across the region to support their continued success.”
Van Ameyde Marine has appointed Ben Sturrock, formerly of Allseas, as head of marine services for its UK operations.
Sturrock brings wide‑ranging experience in offshore and marine operations and has delivered complex marine services across the oil and gas, renewables, shipping and loss‑prevention sectors. He has built expertise in marine warranty, oil spills, casualty investigations and project cargo operations.
In his new role, Sturrock will lead Van Ameyde Marine’s UK marine services team, oversee technical delivery, support key client engagements and further develop capability across marine assurance, surveying and offshore support.
“Van Ameyde Marine has a strong reputation for technical excellence and responsive service in the UK," he said. "I am delighted to be joining the business and look forward to working with the team to further develop the marine services offering and support clients across a broad range of projects.”
