Groupama promotes Etchells to head of e-commerce

Groupama has appointed Malcolm Etchells, currently operations development manager, as its new head of e-commerce, reporting to Kevin Kiernan, Groupama’s personal lines director.

The role will see Etchells assuming responsibility for managing Groupama’s e-commerce team and for driving personal, commercial and healthcare business through electronic channels. He will operate from Groupama’s Underwriting and Service Centre in Manchester and replaces Ken Hutchinson, the company’s former Head of E-commerce who left Groupama at the end of 2009.

Etchells joined Groupama in1991 and played a key role in the implementation of ProStar, the company’s internal business administration systems.

Personal lines director, Kevin Kiernan said: “E-trading is of real strategic importance to Groupama Insurances and it was therefore vital that we selected an individual with the skills, experience, foresight and understanding to drive forward our award winning e-business capabilities. It is really gratifying that we have again been able to make an important appointment from within our business and I am delighted that Malcolm has accepted this important role.”

Etchells will be working with a team of 5 e-trading specialists and will also continue to work closely with broker software houses and other system providers as well as Groupama’s network of trading partners.

Etchells added: “Our powerful e-business capabilities already provide real business benefits for our broker partners. My challenge is to ensure that we stay one step ahead of the competition as part of a continuing commitment to providing innovative online solutions. 2010 has plenty of new e-trading developments in store from Groupama and I am really happy to be in a position to drive forward these important initiatives with my new team.”