The insurance industry has seen several significant leadership changes in recent days, with key appointments and promotions aimed at strengthening operations and driving growth. Notable developments include leadership moves at Arch Insurance International, Howden, Specialist Risk Group, Brit Group Holdings, and McLarens.
Arch Insurance International (Arch) has promoted Alex Clark (pictured left) to healthcare underwriting manager with immediate effect.
In this role, Clark will oversee underwriting activities across the healthcare portfolio, including hospital professional liability, long-term care, and physician professional liability, covering a range of US and international exposures.
Based in London, he will report to James Barrett, head of cyber & healthcare. Clark, who was previously a senior healthcare underwriter, has almost 15 years of experience in underwriting and broking. He joined Arch in 2021 from Tysers, where he was an associate director in the healthcare team.
Howden, the global insurance intermediary, has appointed Brigitte Trafford (pictured centre) as the group chief corporate affairs officer, a newly created role.
Trafford will lead Howden's brand and marketing, communications, PR, public affairs, events, research, and social impact teams, developing a global strategy to engage with talent, clients, prospects, partners, policymakers, and investors. Trafford will report directly to CEO David Howden and joins the global leadership team.
Trafford most recently served as a senior adviser at Lansons, a corporate reputation consultancy. She has held leadership roles in corporate affairs and marketing at organisations including LSEG, Virgin Media, ICAP, ITV, and Dow Jones & Company.
Specialist Risk Group (SRG) has appointed Nicola Holmes (pictured right) as director of niches and schemes for its UK Retail pillar.
Holmes, who brings significant experience in the insurance industry, most recently served as head of broker in Hiscox’s Art and Private Clients Division. She has held various key roles at Hiscox, including schemes manager and regional manager. In her new role at SRG, Holmes will lead the private clients division and other specialist teams.
Brit Group Holdings Limited has announced the appointment of Jean-Jacques Henchoz as a non-executive director, effective May 1, 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Henchoz was previously chairman of the executive board at Hannover Re and has over 27 years of experience in the global reinsurance industry. He spent over 20 years at Swiss Re in various leadership positions, including CEO of reinsurance and regional president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
McLarens, a global claims services provider, has formed an EMEA Senior Management Board (SMB) to guide its growth across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The new board includes senior leaders from across the region, such as Steven Wallace, managing director of EMEA, and Klaas Brand, managing director of McLarens Netherlands.
McLarens aims to expand its regional presence after 25% revenue growth in the fiscal year. The company has also introduced an EMEA Development Committee to explore opportunities such as M&A, new markets, and product development.
