LAS chairman steps down in restructure

LAS Claims Management’s chairman Howard Posner has stepped down with immediate effect in a management restructure at the Birmingham-based firm, the company has announced.

LAS chief executive Darren Cooper said the business will split into three divisions - operations, headed by chief operating officer Max Dunworth; business development, under business development director Ian Hogarth; and corporate services, headed by FD Neil Munn.

As part of the changes, LAS co-founder Tim Walker will also to retire from the company and step down from the board. 

Cooper said: “LAS has grown rapidly during the last 12 months, and we wanted to create a flatter structure with clear accountabilities to ensure we can maintain our high standards of client servicing alongside new business development.”

He continued: “Howard has played a crucial role in guiding the business following the management buyout, assisted by Gresham Private Equity in 2010. He has been instrumental in helping us to build our reputation in the claims sector and to get our foot in the door of a number of insurer clients. We are now in a strong position, especially following the acquisition of Waylett earlier this year, and this restructure reflects our changing focus from a small company making its way in the world to a more mature business in strategic partnerships with a number of major insurers.

“I want to thank Howard and Tim for their support for LAS during the past two years and six years respectively and, on behalf of everyone at LAS, wish them well in the future.” Mr Cooper said that Andy Marsh, a director of Gresham Private Equity, will replace Mr Posner as chairman, with immediate effect.”

Posner said: “I have very much enjoyed my time as chairman of LAS, during which time it has grown rapidly. I am stepping back from the business to focus on other interests, and wish Darren and the team every future success.”

Cooper said that the Waylett acquisition in March 2012 had increased the total workforce to more than 160, and he was planning to recruit another 10 to 20 employees during the next few months. “We are in talks with a number of major insurers to supply validation, adjusting and fulfilment services for household claims across the UK,” he said.

“Our significant investment in technology, in particular our CLASS interactive claims management platform, has enabled us to keep claims costs down yet improve the customer experience, and we believe technology, combined with our focus on highly experienced loss adjusters, is giving us competitive advantage.

“We are not aiming to be the biggest buildings claims management business in the UK, but we do want to be the best. Our new structure reflects that strategy, and puts us in the best possible position to deliver high quality service and further business growth during the next phase.”