This week's senior appointments span broking finance, delegated authority technology and reinsurance claims. Two of them follow recent changes in ownership or structure at the businesses concerned.
Delegated authority technology platform VIPR has appointed Tom Boucher (pictured, left) as non-executive chair. The appointment follows Bridgepoint's majority investment in the London-headquartered business, which completed in July.
Boucher has more than 30 years' experience in software, data and insurance, and has helped lead four private equity exits as a finance chief and chair. His career includes Sequel Business Solutions, a specialty insurance software provider now part of Verisk, and he later became an operating partner at Sequel's former backer Hg. He co-founded developer analytics platform Foreworth and sits on the board of transport software provider Goal Systems.
"I've spent much of my career in specialty insurance software, and I'm excited to work with Paul, the management team and Bridgepoint to build on what VIPR has achieved," said Boucher.
Paul Templar, co-founder and chief executive, said Boucher understood both the complexity of specialty insurance and what it takes to grow a software business.
VIPR processes bordereaux, the data files at the centre of every delegated authority arrangement. The company said its platform is used by 48% of Lloyd's managing agents. Boucher himself argued that many MGAs, brokers and carriers in the fast-growing delegated authority market are still poorly served by software providers.
Brokers running binders or coverholder books should expect faster product and AI development from VIPR, with a chair whose record points towards scale and an eventual exit.
Everest has promoted Nandini Mani (pictured, right) to senior vice president and group chief claims officer with immediate effect. She succeeds Andrew McBride, who is retiring after five years with the Bermuda-based reinsurer and insurer.
Mani joined Everest in September 2024 as chief compliance officer. Before that she spent 11 years at Chubb, latterly as executive vice president of Overseas General Claims, running a global organisation of more than 2,000 people. She earlier held leadership roles at BNY Mellon and law firm Debevoise & Plimpton.
"I am confident she will continue building on the excellence of our Claims colleagues as we serve clients with empathy, speed, and accuracy," said Jim Williamson, Everest president and chief executive.
McBride, a Chartered Insurer, led claims for Chubb's international businesses from London before joining Everest, so his departure removes a leader with deep London market ties. Mani brings comparable international claims scale plus a compliance background, which fits a period when regulators are paying closer attention to how claims are handled.
For London brokers placing with Everest, the key test will be whether service levels and settlement authority remain consistent through the handover.
BMS Group has appointed Paul Sheriff as group chief financial officer and executive director. He joins in November, based in London and reporting to group chief executive Nick Cook.
Sheriff replaces Charlie Rozes, who is leaving after a succession planning process. Cook said Rozes had decided to move on following the sale of BMS's US reinsurance business, and would remain a significant shareholder.
That sale, to Willis Re, was agreed in August. It covers BMS Re US, BMS Intermediaries, BMS Capital Advisory and the London-based US reinsurance broking team, as Insurance Business reported at the time. BMS keeps its UK, Latin American, Bermuda and global facultative operations.
Sheriff arrives from NewDay, where he was chief financial officer and chief operating officer. He previously held combined finance and operations roles at Legatum in Dubai, Record and Arbuthnot Banking Group, and held senior finance positions at Prudential after training at Arthur Andersen.
"His background will be incredibly valuable as we build on our strong foundations and accelerate the Group's next phase of growth," said Cook.
A private equity-experienced finance chief arriving straight after a divestment raises the question of what BMS does next, whether that is acquisitions or a change in ownership. BMS said it expects the strong revenue, margin and EBITDA growth it is reporting for 2026 to continue into 2027. Brokers and carriers trading with its reinsurance, specialty and retail units should watch how the slimmed-down group positions itself over the next year.
