Gallagher bolsters personal lines leadership team with internal hires

Arthur J Gallagher has hired Simon Pearce to the newly created role of chief operating officer of its UK personal lines and affinities business, Gallagher Insurance Solutions (GIS).

It has also appointed Andy Tedstone as managing director of partnerships for GIS, replacing the departed Alan Sanderson.

Both are internal hires. Pearce (pictured) was previously chief operating officer for the UK retail division, while Tedstone was a member of Gallagher’s market management team.

Both will report to Martin Oliver, the recently appointed managing director of GIS, who will join Gallagher in October.

The hirings follow a series of departures from Gallagher’s personal lines unit. Before Sanderson’s departure earlier this month, previous GIS managing director Des O’Connor and managing director of direct business Andrew Wallin left for private equity house AnaCap.

Gallagher executive chairman of underwriting and distribution Adrian Brown said: “We have a fantastic collection of businesses within GIS and I know that Simon and Andy have the vision, expertise and energy to help us deliver on the huge potential as we look to take this expanding part of our business to new heights of success.

“Simon has done a great job within UK retail during a year of intense post-acquisition activity, helping to create a single, unified regional broking operation poised for strong organic growth. His experience and expertise will ensure we deliver operational excellence while maximising growth opportunities and customer satisfaction across our GIS business.”

He added: “Andy’s extensive experience of building close, strategic partnerships with insurers and strong relationship management across a wide range of partners within the affinities space makes him ideally placed to lead, manage and grow our portfolio of partnerships business spanning financial institutions, charities, retailers and occupational groups.”