Gallagher introduces new trading divisions and leadership appointments in UK Retail

Global re/insurance broking group Gallagher has introduced a new UK Retail operating structure with the creation of two new trading divisions, which will align to different client segments, and also announced leadership appointments.

The new operating structure was introduced following Gallagher’s acquisition of AssuredPartners, which added 1,000 colleagues and a number of new businesses to the company’s UK & Ireland operations.

Retail will now have distinct divisions focused on Gallagher’s commercial and corporate client portfolios reflecting the different needs, scale and complexity of these customers.

The changes are designed to enhance the customer experience as the firm integrates the additional clients, offices and colleagues into the business.

The commercial division will specialise in the insurance and risk management needs of mid-market organisations which are managed by Gallagher’s extensive office network across the UK.

Operating within the local communities where they are based, the 60+ offices in the network ensure a deep understanding of the regional challenges and opportunities for businesses in the region.

Gary Fletcher has been appointed Managing Director, having previously headed up Gallagher Retail in the South of the UK since he joined the business through the acquisition of Oval Insurance Brokers in 2014.

Reporting to Fletcher, six Regional Managing Directors will oversee Gallagher’s existing UK wide office network along with the recently acquired AssuredPartners regional UK presence.

The team includes Steve Risk who moves from his current role leading the South West to head up London, South East & South Central; Mark Kerry, Scotland and Northern Ireland; James Fletcher, the North; Elaine Lennox, the Midlands; Cheryl Phillips, who is promoted to oversee the South West, having previously headed up Gallagher’s Exeter office and Simon Mabb as Regional Managing Director of Romero.

Other trading members of the leadership team will be Doug Pereria, Sales Director; Andrew Marvin, Client Services Director and Kat Moon, Commercial Director.

Simon Waine, previously MD for South East & London, will now lead Gallagher’s corporate division as Managing Director, focusing on large clients.

Waine, who joined Gallagher in 2010 from Lark, will oversee services, solutions, and specialist practices for real estate, public sector and education.

The corporate team will provide tailored risk management and insurance solutions to clients and advise on the more complex risks that these organisations need to manage.

His leadership team will include James Murray, Managing Director of Major Corporate; Tim Devine, Managing Director of Public Sector & Education and Jon Phillips, Managing Director of Real Estate.

Nick Harris, CEO of UK & Ireland Retail Broking at Gallagher, said: “This move sees us introduce a new operating structure focused on different client needs and better reflects our size and scale given Gallagher’s growth in both these different client portfolios over recent years.

“The new trading divisions will focus on the specific and evolving needs of our different client bases with a shared remit of providing tailored solutions, deeper expertise and great outcomes for our clients. Now is the right time to introduce this new model as we start to integrate AssuredPartners teams and their clients into our existing operations.”

He concluded: “I am particularly pleased we have been able to make a number of promotions from within the business to create this new leadership team, which demonstrates the breadth of talent we have at Gallagher.”