Bluefin and
Towergate have announced changes at the top of their broking operations with Bluefin’s Neil Forsyth promoted to London Market broking director to replace Paul Longhurst, who has joined
Towergate.
Forsyth, who has been with Bluefin for 24 years having originally been part of SBJ UK Limited, will head up the firm’s London Market broking team. His new role follows the departure of Longhurst, who becomes broking and distribution director of Towergate London Markets.
Longhurst said: “It is true that everyone is once again talking about Towergate, but now for all the right reasons. After 25 enjoyable years at Bluefin, the chance to capitalise on an increasing confidence at Towergate and to build on it in the London Market was one I personally couldn't ignore.”
Towergate Group CEO David Ross promised ‘further announcements shortly as we gather momentum in our plans for growth’, and said: “We recognise the huge opportunity that exists in the London wholesale market, to build on the presence we already have and to expand upon our capability. Paul is a much admired placement specialist, bringing with him the proven ability to connect people and businesses. He will be the crucial link between a growing London market proposition and our retail business, where we know we can be smarter about maximising income generation.”
Following on from Bluefin’s restructure last October, CEO Robert Organ also announced he is no longer recruiting for an MD for the Southern regions of its retail broking division. The responsibility of Bluefin’s trading divisions, retail broking and specialisms, will now be split between Mike Owen, commercial director and Kenny Hogg, managing director broking.
Bluefin further announced the appointment of Steve Hook as managing director for personal lines. Having already been in charge of Bluefin’s private client division, Hook will now be responsible for Bluefin’s volume personal lines business based in Leeds Thorpe Park and dedicated boat insurance brand Bishop Skinner Marine. Hook will continue reporting into Mike Owen.
Organ said: “I am pleased to see two long-standing and well-respected individuals in Steve and Neil be promoted to their new positions. I have seen the great calibre of people we have working for our business closely since being appointed CEO last year and these internal appointments justify that assertion.
“It is also a part of our business to always do things in the most efficient and streamlined way. Not only is this sensible to control our expense base but most importantly to ensure our internal structures are conducive to the needs of our clients. This was the rationale for us creating a unified Retail Broking Division last October and why we continue to make tweaks to it with this focus in mind.”
