A number of senior appointments have been announced across the broking, premium finance, insurance and legal services sectors as companies continue to strengthen leadership capabilities, enhance broker engagement and expand specialist expertise in regional and international markets.
Gallagher appoints CEO for Spain
Gallagher has named Ana Matarranz as chief executive officer for Spain.
In the role, Matarranz will oversee the company’s growth strategy in the Spanish market, focusing on both organic expansion and the integration of specialist teams and services to reinforce Gallagher’s client offering.
She brings two decades of experience across the insurance and strategic consulting sectors. Before joining Gallagher, Matarranz held senior leadership positions at WTW, Howden, MAPFRE and Caser‑Helvetia.
Premium Credit retains ambassador
Premium Credit has retained Paul Trail as ambassador to support its premium finance expansion plans and strengthen ties across the insurance market, particularly within the personal lines broker segment.
Trail previously held senior positions at PremFina and Close Brothers Premium Finance. Most recently, he served as chief revenue officer at PremFina, overseeing growth initiatives, sales and external partnerships. Before that, he was managing director at Close Brothers Premium Finance.
Zurich UK boosts northern regional leadership
Zurich UK has appointed Andy King as head of regional market for the North as part of ongoing investment in regional growth, service delivery and broker relationships.
King will lead Zurich’s northern regional operations through a broker-focused engagement strategy tailored to local market needs. He has spent nearly 16 years with Zurich in a range of senior positions covering strategic execution, operational management and broker engagement.
DAC Beachcroft expands Bristol team
International law firm DAC Beachcroft has appointed Will Sefton as a partner in its Bristol office.
Previously a partner at RPC, Sefton joins alongside legal director Anna Murley and associate Richard Seymour.
Sefton has more than 20 years of experience handling solicitors’ negligence claims, regulatory matters and complex professional indemnity cases. He was a founding partner of RPC’s Bristol office and formerly led the firm’s Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group. Earlier in his career, he worked at Clifford Chance and CMS.
Arch Insurance UK appoints Kings Hill branch manager
Arch Insurance UK has named Dean King as branch manager for Kings Hill, effective immediately.
King will oversee daily branch operations, manage broker distribution activity and support the execution of Arch’s growth strategy across the Kent and Surrey region.
He brings close to 20 years of industry experience and joined Arch in 2023 as broker relationship development manager. His previous roles included business development and underwriting positions at Jensten Group, Unicorn Underwriting Limited and LV=.
The appointment forms part of Arch’s broader strategy to strengthen regional broker partnerships and improve local decision-making capabilities within its UK regional division.
Ascend Insurance Holdings appoints group head of M&A
Ascend Insurance Holdings has appointed Roger Brown as group head of mergers and acquisitions.
Brown will lead the company’s M&A strategy as AIH continues to develop a national platform focused on independent commercial lines brokers. His responsibilities will include sourcing, structuring and executing transactions, while also supporting partner firms following acquisitions to maintain long-term growth, independence and client relationships.
