ManyPets appoints new UK chief executive as part of c-suite reshuffle

ManyPets has appointed a new UK chief executive as part of a reshuffle to its c-suite team.

In a statement released today (16 November 2023), the managing general agent (MGA) said that Luisa Barile will become its UK chief executive, while Justin Clarke will join the firm as chief underwriting officer.

And Darren Spriggs has been announced as the new chief operating officer to head up customer service and claims.

Spriggs previously worked at Ageas Protect (AIG Life) and Pacific Life Re, while Clarke has held senior underwriting roles at Direct Line Group and most recently RSA Insurance.

Meanwhile, Barile will take up her role as top boss after spending five years as the firm’s chief financial officer.

ManyPets’ cofounder and group chief executive Steven Mendel said: “Luisa has been part of the ManyPets success story for several years, leading our efforts to secure funding that has allowed us to grow in the UK and the US.

”As an actuary and with her detailed understanding of our business, Luisa is the natural choice for our next UK chief executive. She is also supported by a strong executive team who I am confident will lead us from strength to strength.”

Stepping down

The reshuffle came after long-standing executive team member Oke Eleazu decided to step away from insurance.

Eleazu had been part of ManyPets’ growth since 2016 and held the roles of chief operating officer and UK chief executive in that time.

He is leaving to start a new initiative, Elevate Colour, which aims to improve the representation of people of colour in leadership roles in the UK.

ManyPets’ new UK executive team plans to focus on further growing its share of the UK pet insurance market and on evolving its customer experience channels to meet the increasing demands of pet parents.

Barile said: “As the UK economy has faltered, pet insurance has become an increasingly important resource for pet owners facing rising prices, especially in vet treatment. ManyPets has always been on pet parents’ side and aims to support them fully in their pet lives.

”We remain focused on evolving our offer to meet current challenges and will continue to invest in our market-leading approach to pet insurance by leveraging proprietary and advanced technologies, developing new products and being easy to do business with.”