New leadership transitions at HDI Global, Optio Group, and Acrisure London Wholesale (ALW) have been announced, signalling strategic plans for growth and operational focus.
First off, HDI Global has confirmed that Tom Major will take on the role of chief claims officer starting February 7, 2025. Major, who will join the executive team, will report directly to Stephanie Ogden, chief executive officer for the UK and Ireland.
The appointment follows Ogden’s announcement of her executive team just two months prior. Major currently serves as UK head of claims at Allianz Commercial, overseeing a team managing claims across nine lines of business. During his 12 years at Allianz, he has held roles in both underwriting and claims.
Ogden noted that Major’s expertise will be crucial to advancing HDI’s ambitions and delivering consistent service levels for brokers and clients.
“Tom brings the depth of expertise and fresh thinking we need to achieve our ambitions and deliver consistent high levels of service for our brokers and clients,” Ogden said. “This appointment demonstrates the desire and eagerness of new talent wanting to join our business and be a part of our story. Together with my new executive team, we look forward to welcoming Tom to HDI.”
Optio Group has appointed Oliver Sheppard (pictured above, right) as head of financial lines, effective immediately. Based in London, Sheppard will oversee the management and development of the company’s professional indemnity (PI) portfolio, assuming overall responsibility for profit and loss as well as market capacity.
“I am pleased to join Optio at such an exciting time in its growth. I look forward to working alongside Deepak and the experienced team to further build Optio’s position as a high-quality financial lines market,” Sheppard said.
Deepak Soni, Optio Group’s CEO, stated that Sheppard’s experience will play a key role in supporting Optio’s global growth strategy and enhancing its financial lines portfolio.
Acrisure London Wholesale has announced that Tom Quy will be promoted to managing director effective January 1, 2025, succeeding John Sutton.
Sutton will transition to a consultancy role, providing strategic guidance to the ALW management team. Quy will report to Simon Hedley, global CEO of Acrisure Re.
Quy has been with ALW since 2019, initially serving as senior vice president. He has played a significant role in developing the company’s cyber wholesale practice and later established Acrisure Re’s cyber reinsurance division. Quy’s career spans over 17 years, with previous roles at Miller, Paragon International, and THB Group.
“I am honoured to step into the role of managing director at ALW,” Quy said. “It has been an incredible journey working alongside such a talented team, and I am excited to build on the strong foundation we have established under John’s leadership. I look forward to driving continued growth and delivering even greater value to our clients while upholding the high standards and innovative spirit that defines ALW.”
Hedley praised Sutton’s leadership in founding and growing ALW, noting that Quy’s industry knowledge and client relationships position him well to lead the company’s next phase of growth.
Sutton reflected on his tenure at ALW, highlighting the team’s success in building a robust wholesale business and expressing confidence in Quy’s leadership abilities.
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