Aston Lark appoints MD for UK retail arm

Broker Aston Lark has appointed Warren Dickson as its new managing director for UK retail – subject to regulatory approval, he will join the firm on 1 October.

Aston Lark group chief executive Peter Blanc explained that the hire is designed to “maximise the clear opportunities that exist” within the company’s UK regional retail business by appointing the division its own “dedicated leadership”.

Dickson, who has more than 30 years of industry experience, has previously worked as sales and marketing director at Carole Nash, managing director of Fish Insurance and – between 2013 and 2018 – he was the chief executive of Chase Templeton, a private medical insurance broker owned by Palatine Private Equity.

During his time at Chase Templeton, Dickson led 75 acquisitions, improved organic growth and overhauled the firm’s sales distribution model. The business was eventually sold to the Ardonagh Group.

Strong ambitions

Further explaining Dickson’s appointment, Blanc said: “Since Aston Scott and Lark came together in 2017, our business has practically doubled in size and our future plans are equally ambitious. Not only has our pace of M&A activity increased, but our group has also expanded into Ireland and the building of a London Market and specialty platform.

“Stuart Rootham joined me in 2016 as group MD and we have a great partnership. We have been discussing for some time that, with the ever increasing interest in Aston Lark as a potential home for vendors and the responsibilities of leading a business of significant scale, it was important that our core UK retail regional business had dedicated leadership to maximise the clear opportunities that exist.

“Warren is a fantastic hire for us. His track record of helping businesses drive strong organic growth is hugely impressive and his knowledge of the employee benefits intermediary market will be invaluable to us as we have strong ambition in that area. Stuart and I look forward to welcoming him on board soon.”

Speaking on joining Aston Lark, Dickson added: “I am delighted to be joining Aston Lark at this exciting time. I have been admiring the development of this business from afar and it is clear from my conversations with Peter and Stuart that they are really building something special. They speak with such passion about the business and I am privileged that they have entrusted me to take the UK retail arm on its next chapter.

“The potential is enormous across their four core areas of focus – commercial, schemes, private clients and employee benefits and the ability to collaborate with our group colleagues in Ireland and in London Market and specialty is also hugely helpful. I can’t wait to get started.”