A series of key senior appointments have been announced across the UK insurance industry, highlighting ongoing investment in technology, claims leadership, delegated authority strategies, and regional market expansion.
Zurich UK Appoints first Chief Technology Officer
Zurich UK has named Asha Kumar as its first-ever chief technology officer (CTO), subject to regulatory approval. Kumar will also join the UK executive committee in October. The creation of the CTO role underscores Zurich’s strategic focus on enhancing its technological capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence.
Asha Kumar, recognised as CIO of the Year in 2023, brings nearly a decade of leadership experience at HSBC, where she most recently served as Managing Director within the Chief Information Office for UK Retail, Wealth, and Private Banking.
TMHCCI Names Gavin Bridges as Chief Claims Officer
Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI) has appointed Gavin Bridges as its new chief claims officer. Based in London, Bridges will report directly to CEO Thibaud Hervy.
Bridges joins TMHCCI from QBE, where he led European market and legacy claims. With over 30 years of industry experience, including a 15-year tenure at Equity Insurance Group, Bridges brings deep expertise in claims strategy, client engagement, and portfolio optimisation.
Allianz Commercial Strengthens MGA and Delegated Authority Team
Allianz Commercial has bolstered its portfolio solutions division, which oversees delegated authority arrangements such as managing general agents (MGAs), with two new senior appointments.
Doan Nguyen-Huu has been named global head of portfolio solutions, effective August 1. She succeeds Claudia Valencia Lascar and will report to Vanessa Maxwell, chief underwriting officer at Allianz Commercial. Nguyen-Huu has been with Allianz since 2013 and is based in London.
Joining her team on September 1 is Daniel Head, who becomes head of delegated authority and portfolio solutions for the UK’s global and international markets. Head moves from RSA, where he spent the last decade managing delegated authority partnerships.
Tokio Marine Kiln Expands Cyber Team with ABI Specialist
Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK) has strengthened its cyber capabilities with the appointment of Lucy Fraser as a cyber risk analyst. Fraser joins from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), where she led member engagement on cyber policy and liaised with government stakeholders. Her background also includes roles focused on cyber and economic crime at the City of London Corporation.
Coalition Grows UK Regional Footprint with Two Hires
Active insurance provider Coalition has expanded its UK regional presence with the appointment of two senior professionals.
James Holder has joined as senior business development manager for the South West and South Wales, bringing cyber underwriting experience from Munich Re. Meanwhile, Sam Mullett has been appointed production underwriter for the Midlands region. He previously held a cyber underwriting role at Aviva.
DWF Expands Major Injury and Casualty Practice with Five Partners
DWF has announced the addition of five new partners to strengthen its major injury and casualty practice.
Jennifer Harris has already joined from Kennedys, while three additional partners – Richard West, Claire Mulligan, and Gareth Thomas – will follow in the coming months. Victoria Kennedy will also join the team from DAC Beachcroft.
Collectively, the new hires bring deep expertise in catastrophic injury, travel claims, overseas litigation, liability defence, and crisis management, significantly enhancing DWF’s capabilities in this area.
