Ryan Specialty has announced leadership changes at Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers International (RSUM International), with Mark Birrell appointed as executive chairman and James Montgomery as chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1. Both executives will operate from RSUM International’s headquarters in London.
Birrell, who joined Ryan Specialty through the acquisition of Castel Underwriting Agencies, has a career spanning over 45 years in the insurance industry. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of Castel Underwriting Agencies and has a background that includes two decades in the Lloyd’s broking community.
Birrell also founded Wildnet Group and Castel Underwriting Agencies, bringing experience in entrepreneurship and insurtech innovation to his role at Ryan Specialty.
Montgomery has been with Ryan Specialty since 2016, serving as managing director of Ryan Transactional Risk (RTR), the firm’s transactional risk managing general underwriter. Montgomery has played a key role in RTR’s growth and global consolidation efforts.
With a background in underwriting financial institutions and M&A products, Montgomery entered the insurance industry in 2011, beginning with the law firm Kennedys and later working with QBE.
Miles Wuller, president and CEO of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers, stated that the appointments are part of the company’s strategy to expand its executive team and meet international growth objectives.
“Mark and Monty are colleagues and executives each with exceptional track records of building, innovating and executing on growth initiatives at the highest level,” Wuller said. “We are confident they will integrate and continue to scale the exceptional talent and resources of RSUM International, Castel and Innovisk and accelerate our international expansion.”
Commenting on his new role, Birrell said his focus as executive chairman would be on international expansion in both product and region.
“The growth of Ryan Specialty’s international expansion, especially with Innovisk now on board, requires a split role of our international executive leadership,” Birrell said. “Monty is a proven talent and leader, and I’m very much looking forward to working closely with him to expand our offering for our clients and trading partners.”
Montgomery highlighted his anticipation for leading RSUM International as CEO, citing the business’s strong positioning for growth and the opportunities ahead.
“We are in a time of enormous opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional service, outstanding outcomes and innovative solutions for our clients and carrier trading partners internationally. I could not have achieved this appointment without the continued support of the amazing people with whom I work at Ryan Specialty and in the wider industry,” he said.
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