The UK insurance industry continues to experience a wave of strategic hires and organisational restructuring, as firms respond to shifting client demands and dynamic market conditions.
H&H Insurance Brokers Bolsters Insurer Relations with New Appointment
Independent brokerage H&H Insurance Brokers (HHIB), which operates across the North of England, the Scottish Borders, and Wales, has appointed Tom Lawlor to the newly established role of Broker Manager.
This position has been created to strengthen insurer relationships and further develop the firm’s client-focused product and service portfolio.
Lawlor brings over five years of experience in insurance, business development, and sales. He joins from the Hedron Network, where he supported insurer relations and worked closely with independent brokers throughout Northern England and Scotland.
The appointment forms part of HHIB’s broader growth strategy, which recently saw the opening of a new regional office in Kirkby Stephen — the firm’s eighth location.
Liberty Specialty Markets Restructures UK and MENA Underwriting Leadership
Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has announced a significant leadership restructure across its UK and MENA operations, introducing new underwriting divisions to better align with evolving client and broker expectations.
Three newly formed divisions — Marine & Aviation, Specialty, and Property — will be led by senior industry figures:
- Meghan Walker has been appointed Head of Marine & Aviation. A 13-year veteran at Liberty, Walker previously led the aviation team and has held broking roles at Aon and Lockton.
- Mike Burle will head the Specialty division, continuing in his role as Deputy Active Underwriter for Syndicate 4472.
- Recruitment is underway for the new Head of Property role.
In addition, Dermot Walsh, currently Head of Commercial Property, will transition into a new position as Director of UK Retail.
The company also announced developments within its Delegated Authority Practice (DAP), led by Lewis Edwards, with the introduction of a new auto-follow segment designed to enhance digital and algorithmic underwriting capabilities.
IUA Overhauls Leadership to Sharpen Underwriting and Claims Focus
The International Underwriting Association (IUA) has unveiled a series of leadership changes under its newly appointed Chief Executive, Chris Jones, as part of a strategic restructure aimed at enhancing technical support across underwriting and claims.
- Tom Hughes has been appointed Director of Underwriting, while
- Joe Shaw takes on the role of Director of Claims.
These appointments mark a separation of duties previously held by Jones and are intended to improve the association’s technical guidance and lifecycle support in these critical areas.
Additionally, Kim Darrington, who brings more than 20 years of industry experience, has been promoted to Director of Market Operations and Transformation. She will spearhead the IUA’s initiatives around market digitalisation and operational efficiency.
