Industry veteran takes up non-executive director role at UK-based broker

Neil Eckert

Brit founder and former chief executive Neil Eckert has joined broker Arthur J Gallagher International as a non-executive director.

Eckert founded Brit in 1995. He stepped down as Brit chief executive in April 2005 and was replaced by Dane Douetil. Douetil was in turn succeeded by Mark Cloutier in October 2011.

Before founding Brit, Eckert was a reinsurance broker, having served on the board of Benfield (now Aon Benfield).

Eckert said: “The nature of risk is changing apace - but the world is increasingly under-insured.

“After 30 years in and around the insurance business, I wanted the challenge of working with a broker that understands these developments - and one that is prepared to invest across distribution channels and in product design and technology, in order to better advise demanding clients around the globe.

“The Gallagher culture of professionalism and entrepreneurship is highly attractive and the firm is clearly a force to be reckoned with.”

Gallagher International chief executive David Ross added: “We are delighted that someone of Neil’s stature has decided to join us. His deep experience and wide range of relationships will be pivotal in helping us refine our strategic direction, as well as providing additional advisory firepower, as we continue to deliver on our promise of growth.”

Eckert is chairman of Aggregated Micro Power, a business that develops and invests in small-scale alternative energy projects and technologies.

He also serves on the board of the Isle of Man Assurance Company, Ebix, an insurance-based software company, and Evofem, an unlisted healthcare company in United States.

Eckert is also chairman of Design Technology and Innovation Limited, a patenting and intellectual property company.

Until August 2010, Eckert was chief executive of Climate Exchange, an AIM listed company, which owned the European Climate Exchange and the Chicago Climate Exchange. He was chairman of Trading Emissions from its inception in 2005 until 2011.

 

Topics