Insurance hires: IDF, Westfield Specialty International, HDI Global

Key industry switches signal a growing focus on climate risk, marine underwriting, and captives

Insurance hires: IDF, Westfield Specialty International, HDI Global

Insurance News

By Kenneth Araullo

New leadership transitions at the Insurance Development Forum, Westfield Specialty International, and HDI Global have been announced, signalling strategic plans for growth.

The Insurance Development Forum (IDF) has appointed Ivo Menzinger (pictured left), managing director of public sector business at Swiss Re, as the new chair of its operating committee (OpCo).

Menzinger takes over from Rowan Douglas, CEO of Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden, who has chaired the committee since the IDF’s establishment at the Paris Climate Summit in 2015. 

Menzinger has been involved with the IDF for several years, previously serving as deputy chair of the OpCo and co-chairing the IDF Sovereign and Humanitarian Working Group. As the IDF marks its 10th year, Menzinger is expected to focus on expanding cross-sector collaboration to address climate and disaster risks. 

Michel Liès, chair of the IDF Steering Committee, acknowledged Douglas’s contributions to the organisation over the past decade and expressed confidence in Menzinger’s ability to drive the next phase of the IDF’s strategy. 

“As we look ahead and embark on the IDF’s next phase, Ivo’s expertise will be key to catalysing additional momentum, uniting stakeholders, and scaling solutions to match the urgency of the moment,” Liès said.

Westfield Specialty International appointment

Meanwhile, in the commercial insurance sector, Westfield Specialty International has strengthened its marine underwriting team with the appointment of Ben Beaumont as a cargo underwriter.

Beaumont, who has 13 years of industry experience, previously worked at Allied World in the cargo underwriting team. He will be based in London and report to Matt Jenkins, class underwriter, cargo. 

Westfield Specialty’s head of marine and energy, Jon Hamilton, stated that Beaumont’s hire is part of a broader strategy to expand the company’s presence in the marine market.

“Ben arrives with diverse experience in the industry across both underwriting and claims roles. As we navigate through a period of sustained growth across the business, we welcome the knowledge and skills that Ben brings to our team, helping us to ensure that we maintain the high-quality service our clients expect from us,” Hamilton said.

HDI Global appointment

Separately, HDI Global UK and Ireland has named Dan Sammons (pictured right) as captives manager, effective February 3, 2025.

Sammons joins from AIG, where he held various roles in alternative risk transfer and captive underwriting, most recently as head of alternative risk solutions UK. 

In his new role, Sammons will report to Oliver Davies, chief distribution officer at HDI Global UK and Ireland.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dan to HDI to lead our captives growth strategy across the UK and Ireland and further cement HDI’s position as a global leader in captives and alternative risk transfer,” Davies said.

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