Seventeen Group has announced the appointment of Oliver Thorne as its next chief executive officer, succeeding long-standing leader Paul Anscombe. The leadership transition is scheduled for October 27, 2025, subject to FCA approval, with a smooth handover planned to ensure continuity.
Thorne, who brings over 20 years of experience in insurance broking and underwriting, currently serves as managing director of Specialist Risk Insurance Solutions (SRIS), the retail arm of Specialist Risk Group (SRG). Since 2022, he has led the development of SRIS’s specialist broking teams.
His career also includes senior leadership positions at Gallagher, where he was regional managing director overseeing retail operations and regional expansion, and at Stackhouse Poland, where he headed the commercial and corporate divisions. Throughout his career, Thorne has built a strong track record in growing broking teams, integrating acquisitions, and driving sustainable organic growth.
Seventeen Group, the parent company of broker James Hallam, MGA Touchstone Underwriting, and loss adjuster 4Sight Risk Management, has been steadily expanding through both acquisitions and organic growth. In March 2025, the group secured investment from IK Partners to accelerate its growth strategy, enhance technological capabilities, and support its long-term independence. Today, the business manages approximately £400 million in premiums and operates from 25 offices across the UK, the DACH region, and the Isle of Man.
The appointment comes amid heightened competition in the UK broking sector, where consolidation has created major independent players competing with global brokers. With clients increasingly seeking digital services, data-driven insights, and value-added advisory support, intermediaries face mounting pressure to demonstrate agility and specialist expertise. Thorne’s leadership experience in managing growth-focused businesses positions him well to navigate these challenges and drive Seventeen Group’s next phase of development.
