Several major players in the insurance industry have announced high-profile appointments, marking a period of strategic growth and operational enhancement for Gallagher, The Fidelis Partnership (TFP), and Pikl.
Gallagher Expands Disputes Practice in the Middle East
Gallagher has appointed Harshiv Thakerar as Head of Disputes Risk for the Middle East, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its dispute resolution capabilities across the Middle East and Africa.
Thakerar, a qualified solicitor, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Chief Investment Officer and Board Director at Asertis, a legal finance and risk management firm. His background also includes leadership roles at Augusta Ventures and as Partner and Head of Litigation at a global growth capital firm.
In his new position, Thakerar will collaborate closely with law firms, litigation funders, and financial institutions to deliver a suite of dispute resolution and investment insurance products, such as after-the-event (ATE) insurance and contingent legal risk cover. These offerings are designed to protect clients from the financial impact of legal disputes.
He will report to Daniel Miller, Executive Director, Financial Lines and M&A for the Middle East and Africa, and work in alignment with Gallagher’s globally recognized London-based disputes team, led by Steve Jones. managing director of M&A, litigation and transactional solutions. He will also coordinate with Colin Everson, Head of Litigation & Arbitration, who joined the firm in September 2024.
This announcement follows Gallagher’s recent hire of Stephen Smith in March as Managing Director of Broking and Placement for its UK and Ireland Retail division.
Fidelis Partnership Strengthens Operational and Reinsurance Functions
The Fidelis Partnership has made two key hires to support its operational growth and reinsurance strategy. Suzanne Wells has been named Chief Operating Officer, while Erik Manning joins as Head of Ceded Reinsurance. Manning assumes his role in April, with Wells set to start in July.
Wells, based in London, joins from Arch Insurance International, where she was Deputy COO, overseeing operational processes, underwriting functions, and strategic initiatives. A chartered accountant, she also spent over a decade at Aviva in various senior roles.
These appointments come as TFP’s MGA platform, Pine Walk, continues its upward trajectory, with gross written premium nearing US$1 billion. As the platform prepares for further expansion in 2025—including the launch of Sevanta and an accident & health (A&H) cell—Rinku Patel will now focus exclusively on his role as Pine Walk CEO.
Manning, who will be based in Bermuda, brings experience from BMS, Miller, Aon, and Guy Carpenter. He will collaborate with Doug Somerville, Head of Capacity and Ceded Reinsurance Placement, concentrating on strategic partnerships, capital markets, retrocession, and index solutions.
Earlier this month, TFP also appointed Jonny Strickle as Group Managing Director, tasked with integrating actuarial, capital, underwriting, and risk functions across the business.
Pikl Bolsters Executive Team Amid Expansion
Specialist insurance provider Pikl has reinforced its leadership team with the appointments of Steve McGuinness as Chief Operating Officer and James Everett as Chief Underwriting Officer. These moves support the company’s ongoing growth strategy following the successful 2023 launch of its B2B short-term rental insurance offering.
McGuinness brings senior operational experience from organizations such as Saga, Auto & General, Chubb, and RBS. In his new role, he will oversee day-to-day operations, focusing on organizational structure, performance management, and risk oversight.
Everett, formerly Deputy Head of Underwriting at Canopius Group, brings deep expertise in London and specialty markets, especially in vacation rental and holiday let insurance. He will lead Pikl’s efforts in capacity management, underwriting, and pricing strategy.
