Ecclesiastical Insurance has announced three senior leadership appointments within its UK General Insurance business, with all positions filled through internal promotions. The changes reflect the company’s continued focus on leadership development and operational strength.
One of the most significant appointments is that of Helen Richards, who has been named Group Organisational Resilience Director. The role is newly created, highlighting Benefact Group’s commitment to making organisational resilience a dedicated executive function rather than incorporating it within existing operations leadership.
Richards joined Ecclesiastical as a graduate trainee in 2007 and has built a 19-year career across underwriting, customer service, and operations. Most recently serving as Church Operations Director, her progression from graduate entrant to a newly established group-level leadership position demonstrates the company’s emphasis on developing talent from within.
Jeremy Trott has been appointed Church Operations Director, succeeding Richards after serving as Claims Director for the past five and a half years. His move brings extensive claims expertise to one of Ecclesiastical’s most specialised customer segments. Working alongside Benefact Group Church Relationship Director Michael Angell, Trott will support the insurer’s church customer base, where heritage properties, complex risks, and long-term liability exposures require specialist knowledge. His claims background strengthens Ecclesiastical’s capabilities in serving this unique market.
Meanwhile, Andrew Henner has been appointed Interim Claims Director, taking over from Trott. Since joining Ecclesiastical in 2017, Henner has served as Head of Technical Claims for Property and Liability, providing him with extensive experience in the key claims areas that support the company’s church and heritage insurance portfolio.
Ecclesiastical Insurance, a subsidiary of Benefact Group, reported gross written premiums of £653.7 million in 2025, representing a 2.1% increase compared with the previous year. Established in 1887, the company continues to be the principal insurer of Grade I listed properties across the United Kingdom.
