Several organisations across the insurance and financial services sector, including Markel, Pension Insurance Corporation, AXA XL and the Personal Finance Society, have announced a series of senior leadership appointments.
PFS strengthens board with new directors
The Personal Finance Society (PFS) has appointed Alan Whittle and Adam Harper as directors.
Whittle, a Chartered Financial Planner and PFS fellow with more than 20 years of experience in financial services, previously served as chair of the PFS North Scotland Region and as a national forum officer for Scotland at the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
Harper joins the board as executive director of strategy, advocacy and professional standards at the CII Group. He succeeds Gill White, who stepped down from both the CII Group and the PFS board at the end of 2025.
The board also confirmed that Ian Callaghan will continue in his role for an additional year following an extension of his term.
Markel appoints US cyber lead
Markel, the insurance business of Markel Group Inc., has appointed Jamie Smith as London underwriting manager – US cyber lead.
Based in London, Smith will oversee the US cyber segment within Markel’s London Market cyber portfolio. His role will involve working closely with actuarial teams on portfolio analysis and strategic planning, as well as leading broker engagement, managing the underwriting pipeline and mentoring junior underwriters within the cyber and technology professional indemnity team.
Smith will report to Dan Fox, head of cyber at Markel International.
He brings more than a decade of insurance experience, specialising in cyber and technology errors and omissions risks. Prior to joining Markel, Smith spent four years as a senior cyber underwriter at Arch Insurance International. Earlier in his career, he held underwriting roles at Barbican Insurance Group and CFC Underwriting.
Fox said he was pleased to welcome Smith to the team, noting that his technical expertise, broker relationships and experience in managing profitable portfolios would strengthen Markel’s cyber capabilities.
PIC appoints new chief executive
Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), a specialist insurer focused on defined benefit pension schemes, has appointed Mike Eakins as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approval.
Dom Veney will remain interim CEO until Eakins formally takes up the role.
Eakins is set to join PIC following the completion of Athora’s acquisition of the business. He currently serves as chief executive officer of retirement solutions and asset management, as well as group chief investment officer, at Standard Life plc.
Before joining Standard Life, Eakins spent more than 14 years as a managing director at Goldman Sachs and began his career as an actuary with EY.
AXA XL appoints head of energy
AXA XL has appointed Sebastian Weaver as head of energy, UK & Lloyd’s, with the appointment set to take effect in the third quarter of 2026.
Based in London, Weaver will be responsible for shaping and implementing underwriting strategies for AXA XL’s UK and Lloyd’s energy portfolio, focusing on profitable growth, effective risk management and market expansion.
Weaver joins from QBE, where he most recently served as head of underwriting oversight for QBE Portfolio Solutions. During his time at the company, he also held several energy-focused roles, including head of sustainable energies, portfolio manager for upstream energy and senior offshore energy underwriter.
AXA XL said Weaver’s experience and industry reputation would support clients navigating changing market cycles and an increasingly complex risk landscape.
