Six organisations have unveiled key leadership appointments this week across the broking, underwriting, insurtech and mutual insurance sectors, highlighting a diverse range of talent moves throughout the industry.
Among the most notable developments are Aon’s recruitment of a senior construction specialist from a rival firm, a leadership promotion within Liberty Mutual’s international operations, and the appointment of a telematics innovator to support renewable energy insurance technology. Elsewhere, Bluefriars Group has selected a former underwriting executive from Zurich and Aviva as its new chair, while Peter James Insurance has strengthened its brand presence through the appointment of a well-known television personality.
Liberty Mutual appoints Turkes to head international operations
Liberty Mutual Insurance has announced the appointment of Defne Turkes as president and managing director of Liberty International Insurance (LII), the international arm of Global Risk Solutions (GRS), effective July 1.
Based in Singapore, Turkes has served as chief operating officer of LII since 2024. In her new role, she will oversee the company’s international commercial insurance operations and retail insurance markets across Asia, reporting directly to Matthew Moore, president of GRS.
Turkes joined Liberty Mutual in 2006 as chief financial officer for its Turkey business and has since held a series of senior leadership positions across Asia, including president of the company’s Asia retail operations. She succeeds Phil Hobbs, who has been appointed president of underwriting at GRS.
Aon recruits construction specialist from Marsh
Aon has appointed Andy Desmond as head of construction for commercial risk in the UK, with the appointment taking effect on July 1.
Desmond joins from Marsh, where he spent more than six years serving as construction industry practice leader for the UK and Ireland. Prior to his broking career, he worked for 18 years as insurance manager at Kier Group, providing him with extensive experience from both the client and broker perspectives.
Based in London, Desmond will report to Rob Kemp, chief executive officer of commercial risk in the UK. He will lead Aon’s construction practice, focusing on risk placement, strategic advisory services and integrated client solutions.
Bluefriars appoints Hayley Robinson as chair
Bluefriars Group has named Hayley Robinson as its new chair, succeeding David Owen. Owen will continue to support the organisation as a non-executive director with responsibility for European operations.
Robinson brings significant industry expertise, having previously served as group chief underwriting officer at Zurich and chief underwriting officer for personal lines at Aviva. She has also held senior leadership positions at RSA.
In addition to her new role, Robinson serves on the board of Brit Syndicates Ltd and chairs its Risk Oversight Committee. She also holds positions with the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Bluefriars supports managing general agent (MGA) launches and broker expansion throughout the UK and Europe, having helped establish more than 60 businesses through its hosting network since its launch.
Telematics expert joins APP Group and SAMP Risk
APP Group has appointed Jonathon Valentine as group chief technology officer, bringing a recognised telematics and connected-data specialist into the renewable energy insurance sector.
Valentine co-founded telematics provider ThingCo in 2018, helping build its reputation as a leading risk-mitigation platform for motor insurers. Earlier in his career, he became the first employee of Insurethebox, the UK’s first telematics-only motor insurer, where he served as head of innovation.
As CTO, Valentine will oversee technology strategy for both APP Group and its insurtech subsidiary, SAMP Risk. The platform is designed specifically for the power and renewable energy market, using proprietary telematics hardware installed at renewable energy facilities to gather real-time machine data and support continuous risk assessment throughout the insurance policy lifecycle.
Peter James Insurance names Paul Cowland as brand ambassador
Peter James Insurance, part of the Kingfisher Insurance group, has appointed television presenter and automotive expert Paul Cowland as its new brand ambassador.
Cowland is widely recognised for his role on the Channel 4 programme Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars. He brings more than three decades of experience within the specialist automotive sector, including work involving classic vehicles, restoration projects, dealerships and niche automotive businesses.
AMICE elects new board members
The Association of Mutual Insurers and Insurance Cooperatives in Europe (AMICE) has elected María José Rodríguez of Seguros Lagun Aro and Thomas Sehn of HUK-Coburg to its board of directors.
The appointments replace Pablo Mongelos García and Klaus-Jürgen Heitmann respectively. As part of a revised governance structure aimed at enhancing representation across the organisation’s commissions, Sehn has also been appointed vice-president.
AMICE did not provide additional details regarding the backgrounds of the newly elected board members at the time of publication.
