Insurance group restructures leadership team

Drive Further Collective has restructured its leadership team following managing director Karen Beales’ decision to retire from her executive position in October 2024.

Jon Daniels, who has served as commercial director since 2022, will succeed Beales as managing director for general insurance products and MSL.

MSL, part of the Drive Further, specialises in legal expenses insurance and ancillary products for MGAs and insurance brokers.

In addition, Phil Bellamy will assume the role of managing director for after-the-event (ATE) legal expenses products.

Both Daniels and Bellamy will report directly to chief executive Nick Garner.

Meanwhile, Richard Neve has been appointed commercial director and will oversee business development across Financial and Legal, which is also part of Drive Further.

Coming on the appointments, Beales said: “We’re very lucky to have both Daniels and Bellamy stepping into these roles, and Neve joining the business too.

“They complement each other perfectly, each bringing their unique strengths and deep industry knowledge and I’m confident they will continue to lead the businesses towards even greater success.”

Beales

Beales, meanwhile, will transition to a non-executive role at Financial and Legal. She will also serve as an independent non-executive director at Antares Insurance Company.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the move, Beales said the decision to step down had been part of a long-term plan to “step back and rediscover life” beyond “the daily grind of Powerpoint presentations, spreadsheets and policy wordings”.

Garner said: “I want to thank Beales for her immense contribution to the business.

“We will of course continue to benefit from Beales’ wisdom from her new position on the board and I’m delighted she has chosen to remain with the Collective in this new capacity.”