New leadership team appointed at broker network

Acrisure has announced a new leadership team at Eleven Network, its UK retail insurance broking network.

Jeff Hobson will serve as chief executive, with Shahram Shayesteh as deputy chief executive.

Kat Cross, meanwhile, will take on the role of chief financial officer, while Chris Sedgley will become broking director.

And Matt Dyer has been named as director and Simon Cooter as chair of the board.

Other appointments that have been announced include Russell Preece as IT director and David Cunningham as head of member services.

Mark McIlquham, chief executive and director at Acrisure’s UK business, said: “This leadership team is deeply committed to clients and stakeholders and is comprised of industry and strategic growth experts from the country’s most successful networks, the largest brokers, key insurers and premium finance partners.”

Experience

Hobson most recently served as the regional director for Burns and Wilcox and before this was the regional managing director at Willis. 

Shayesteh, who has 13 years of experience in the insurance industry, is being promoted after joining Acrisure and Eleven as chief risk officer in 2023.

Cross and Sedgley are also getting promotions, with them joining in February 2024, while Cunningham is being promoted after spending a year at Acrisure.

Dyer, meanwhile, was the founder of ITC Compliance and has experience in growing a network and dealing with appointed representatives.

And Cooter is the director at Acrisure UK Retail, acting as chair for the broking businesses. He is also non-executive director at Acrisure partner Sutton Winson. 

“The future is bright for Acrisure and Eleven as the new leadership team, alongside existing talented staff, expand the network’s offering in the UK,” McIlquham said.