News in brief

Brown joins start-up Endorphin from Bluefin

Chris Blackham’s start-up Endorphin has appointed Robert Brown as operations partner.

Brown will join Endorphin in October from AXA-owned Bluefin where he is currently under notice as marketing manager. Blackham sold his business, Layton Blackham (LB), to AXA in 2007.

Brown will lead the new broker’s operational structuring and provide marketing advice.

Bluefin chief executive Stuart Reid said: “Robert has been a valuable junior member in our marketing team since we bought LB a few years ago. We wish him every success with Chris and feel that a small start-up company like Endorphin will suit him very well.”

Former AXA boss to sit on Chaucer board

Chaucer has named former Pru and AXA UK boss Mark Wood as a non-executive director.

He joins the audit, remuneration and nomination committees and, following FSA approval, will become a non-executive director of Chaucer Syndicates, the group’s Lloyd’s managing agency and main operating subsidiary.

Chief executive officer Bob Stuchbery said: “I am very pleased to welcome Mark. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise.”

A chartered accountant who began his career at Price Waterhouse, Wood was chairman of the ABI for three years from 1997. While at AXA he oversaw the acquisition of Guardian Royal Exchange in 1999.

Trio of appointments boosts Arista’s team

Commercial lines underwriting agency Arista Insurance has made three appointments in Bristol.

Jon Bodman joins as a senior underwriter from Chartis; Sarah Cheesley as an underwriting assistant from Axa Sun Life and Asa Nicholls as an underwriting assistant to support growth in motor fleet and the management of credit control. Nicholls was NIG’s regional credit controller for Bristol.

Arista regional manager David Aslin said that the addition of three “extremely capable individuals” to the Bristol office illustrated how focused the company was on building skills and capability.