A number of senior appointments and promotions have been announced across the UK and European insurance market, spanning claims, strategy and data, distribution, and broking.
QBE Names Head of European Claims
QBE has promoted Virginie Massé to head of European claims, effective September 1. Massé, who joined the company two years ago as claims manager for France, will remain based in Paris and report to Mike East, claims director for QBE European operations.
With more than 25 years of experience in claims management, Massé has previously held senior roles including executive claims director at AIG and operations director at the Fonds de Garantie, France’s body for compensating victims of road accidents and terrorism.
QBE has also strengthened its European risk services through a new partnership with Matrix iQ. The collaboration will provide fleet clients with real-time insights on driver behaviour, claims patterns, and operational risk exposure. The platform integrates with existing telematics solutions while adding ESG-focused features such as emissions tracking.
Reassured Appoints Chief Strategy & Data Officer
Life insurance broker Reassured has appointed Beth Whelan as chief strategy & data officer. She will report directly to CEO Mark Townsend and join the company’s executive leadership team.
Whelan’s responsibilities include shaping long-term strategy, embedding data-led decision-making across operations, and enhancing the firm’s AI and analytics capabilities. Her remit also covers leadership of the change and data science functions, with a focus on delivering predictive insights, supporting product innovation, and personalising services for customers and insurer partners.
Bringing more than 20 years of financial services experience, Whelan previously served as chief strategy and transformation officer at TDX Group, an Equifax company, and as data and transformation director at Reassured.
Her appointment follows the late-2024 addition of Philip Byrne as chief risk and compliance officer, tasked with strengthening governance and risk management as Reassured continues to scale its digital and multi-channel operations.
Prestige Underwriting Elevates Business Development Lead
Prestige Underwriting has promoted Tim Baxter to business development and relationship director, following regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority.
Baxter, who has been with the company since 2014, brings more than 25 years of experience across placement, claims, and distribution. In his new role, he will lead broker engagement and distribution strategy across the UK and Ireland, with a mandate to deepen partnerships, enhance broker support, and drive sustainable growth.
In parallel, Prestige Underwriting has expanded its distribution reach through a partnership with Ardonagh Advisory. Under the agreement, the firm will serve as a preferred non-standard household partner across networks including Bravo, Ethos Broking, and Towergate. The move provides brokers with access to products such as Coverall non-standard household, short-term unoccupied property, thatched homes, and non-standard motor and commercial vehicle solutions. Recent survey data shows that 79% of brokers expect continued growth in the non-standard insurance segment.
Doe and Emuss Strengthens Broking with Senior Hire
Specialist underwriting agency Doe and Emuss has appointed John Watmough as underwriter and director of broking.
Based in London, Watmough will focus on strengthening the firm’s underwriting and broking expertise while expanding its client offering. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the London insurance market, alongside a deep understanding of the North American insurance sector.
