A wave of senior appointments has been announced across the UK and international insurance markets, covering roles in underwriting, operations, data strategy and board-level leadership as firms continue strengthening expertise and operational capabilities.
Open GI creates head of data role
Specialist insurance technology provider Open GI has appointed Thomas Bailey to the newly created role of head of data.
Bailey joins the business from Halfords, where he served as data engineering manager. In his new position, he will lead Open GI’s data strategy and oversee the development of higher-value data products, supported by a team of 10 data specialists.
The role aims to help colleagues and partners use data more effectively to win and retain business, enhance performance and unlock new propositions. Bailey’s previous experience includes positions at Aldi, Next, Bibby Financial Services, St Modwen, and Halfords, with a focus on modernising data and machine-learning engineering practices, enabling generative AI use cases and leading platform implementation and cloud migration projects.
ALA Insurance appoints Greenhill as non-executive director
GAP and specialist motor provider ALA Insurance has appointed Scott Greenhill as a non-executive director, bringing more than three decades of industry experience to its board.
Greenhill’s career includes senior underwriting and leadership roles at LV= Broker, Atlanta Group, and Autonet, as well as earlier positions within Lloyd’s of London and specialist motor underwriting businesses. He has also founded and led several ventures, including Agile Developments and Enterprise Insurance & TPA, building expertise in underwriting, capacity provision and telematics.
In his new role, Greenhill is expected to advise on underwriting discipline, insurer partnerships, capacity management, product development and portfolio performance, with a particular emphasis on using data and technology to support disciplined growth.
Hamilton appoints CUO of London specialty platform
Hamilton Insurance Group has named Sinead Cormican as chief underwriting officer (CUO) of Hamilton Global Specialty, its London-based underwriting platform.
Cormican, who also serves as active underwriter of Lloyd’s Syndicate 4000, takes up the role with immediate effect. She succeeds Miles Osorio, who is due to retire at the end of June.
A member of the Hamilton Global Specialty leadership team for several years, Cormican has played a key role in developing the platform’s underwriting capabilities. With more than 25 years of market experience, she will oversee underwriting performance and portfolio strategy as the company navigates the next phase of the market cycle.
Hamilton has also expanded the responsibilities of Richard Northcott, its head of marine and energy, who has been appointed head of business development strategy. In the expanded role, Northcott will lead strategic development initiatives across all Hamilton Global Specialty business lines, with a particular focus on strengthening broker and client relationships.
BHSI appoints global head of transactional liability
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has appointed Rory O’Broin as global head of transactional liability, further strengthening its executive and professional lines leadership.
Based in the company’s London office, O’Broin brings extensive international experience in M&A transactional liability, contingent risk and tax liability insurance, supported by strong legal expertise in complex cross-border transactions.
Policy Expert appoints COO
UK insurer Policy Expert has appointed Richard Kirby as chief operating officer, strengthening its leadership team as the business moves into its next phase of growth.
Kirby succeeds co-founder Adam Powell, who steps down from the role after 15 years with the company.
He brings more than two decades of experience in operational transformation and value creation across insurance, private equity and technology-enabled businesses. Kirby joins from PIB Insurance Broking, where he served as chief integration and transformation officer, supporting acquisition-led growth across European markets.
Prior to PIB, Kirby spent more than six years at private equity firm LDC as partner and head of portfolio value creation, leading a team supporting around 60 mid-market investments. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Aon, including managing director and EMEA COO of health & benefits, and at Marsh, where he served as managing director, EMEA CIO and M&A lead.
