Biba names replacement as Charles Manchester retires from advisory boards

Broker trade body Biba has confirmed that Tom Downey, chief executive of Gallagher owned MGA Pen Underwriting, will replace retiring Charles Manchester on its network and managing general agents advisory boards.

Manchester, the founder and former chief executive of MGA Manchester Underwriting Management (Mum), announced his retirement from both Mum and its parent company Pen in July 2024.

Pen purchased Manchester Underwriting Agencies, which includes Mum, for an undisclosed sum in October 2021.

Biba chief executive Graeme Trudgill announced Downey’s appointment on LinkedIn on 23 August 2023.

He subsequently told Insurance Times: ”Advisory boards are the backbone of Biba’s governance, helping to ensure that our work is focused on what our broker members need us to do on their behalf.

”As chief executive at Pen Underwriting, [Downey] will bring a wealth of experience and insight to help direct our activities.

”I am always incredibly appreciative of the time and energy members of our boards and committees put in – it’s invaluable.”

’Guiding light’

Trudgill added that Pen Underwriting already supports Biba members by being an accredited provider of broker members’ professional indemnity insurance.

He called out Richard Webb, managing director for UK financial and specialist liability at Pen, and Nick Wright, chief business development officer at Pen, for ”doing so much to support our members”.

“I’m always appreciative of the top people in our sector taking the time to be a guiding light for their trade body and its members,” Trudgill said.