Baroness Kay Swinburne has been appointed as the new independent chair of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), taking over from Baroness Nicky Morgan, who was the first to hold the position.
The role of independent chair was established in 2021, alongside the position of independent non-executive director, with the aim of introducing broader perspectives, enhancing governance, and contributing to a more diverse leadership structure within the organisation.
According to a news release, Swinburne will begin her three-year term with immediate effect and will also chair the ABI Board. She joins Sacha Romanovitch, the ABI’s independent non-executive director.
“I am delighted to take up the role of ABI chair and look forward to working with the Board members, the executive team and the sector more broadly as we build on the strong track record of insurance and long-term savings providers in recent years,” said Swinburne. “There are some pressing issues ahead, particularly on consumer related matters and further supporting the UK’s economic growth. I look forward to steering the Board as we seek to find ways to help tackle these challenges.”
Baroness Morgan, who served in the post for three years, reflected on her tenure, which spanned significant economic and regulatory transitions in the wake of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My time as ABI chair coincided with significant change for the insurance and long-term savings sector as we moved into a post-Brexit and post-pandemic era, defining new regulations, the way we work and tackling consumer trust,” she said. “It has been an honour to lead the ABI’s board… The industry plays a vital role in securing the economy and providing peace of mind to customers.”
ABI president and Phoenix Group chief executive Andy Briggs welcomed the appointment and acknowledged the contributions of both leaders.
“Kay’s extensive experience across financial services in the UK and in Europe will be a great asset to our industry, especially at such an important time as we work to support the government’s vital growth mission,” Briggs said. “I’d also like to thank Nicky Morgan for her extensive contribution to the ABI, especially in driving forward our consumer-focused work and helping to establish the Investment Delivery Forum.”
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