Finance director David Simpson leaves Bollington

Bollington finance director David Simpson has left the company after seven years with the broker, Insurance Times has learned.

He is replaced by Patrick McDonnell, who has been appointed finance director of Bollington Group (Holdings) and its subsidiaries, Bollington Insurance Brokers and Bollington Underwriting.

McDonnell has held board and senior positions at MBNA Europe Bank, LSB and Swiss Life UK. More recently, he was chief executive and finance director of the private equity backed Equidebt.

The broker said McDonnell’s appointment forms part if its continued restructuring and development, following last year’s management buy-out (MBO).

In March last year the broker announced it was embarking on a growth drive after making a clutch of new appointments and completing its MBO from French insurance group Groupama.

David Simpson was appointed as chief operating officer, replacing two former directors who had left the business. Simpson was responsible for the finance and operations functions. Prior to that, he was the business support director.

Bollington chief executive Paul Moors said: “While disappointed to see David leave after seven years as a director, I am excited by the new appointments and believe Bollington will continue to grow and go from strength to strength.”

As part of the restructuring plans, Paul Hughes, formally with Direct Line, has also been appointed direct sales director. He will oversee motor trade road risks, commercial vehicles, courier and taxi retail sales and joins the boards of Bollington Insurance Brokers and Bollington Underwriting.

Rachel Aston has been promoted to marketing director, with responsibility for all aspects of marketing, advertising, web sales, brand and affinity relations and also joins the two boards.