Open GI snaps up former BGL chief executive

Software provider Open GI has appointed former BGL Insurance chief executive Peter Thompson as its new chair.

Thompson spent 17 years at BGL, five of which as the top boss, before stepping down in February 2023.

His departure from BGL came following a strategic review conducted by Markerstudy, which acquired BGL in May 2022. The decision was reached mutually.

As chief executive at BGL, Thompson led technology initiatives, including application programme interface integration with distribution partners.

He also spearheaded the adoption of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, his career has also seen him hold leadership roles at HBOS and RSA.

At HBOS, he served as managing director of retail partnerships and general insurance distribution from June 2005 to January 2008. At RSA, he was a financial services manager from 2001 to 2003.

Growth opportunity

Simon Badley, chief executive at Open GI, said that Thompson’s “valuable experience” would help him to “fully understand the large opportunity [Open GI] have to help businesses use technology to build scale and grow stronger”.

The firm provides software propositions for the general insurance industry, supporting over 18,000 professionals across 500 organisations.

He said: “On behalf of the entire board, I am pleased to welcome Thompson to Open GI. We look forward to working closely with him.”

Thompson added that Open GI had “a tremendous opportunity to grow through customer-focused innovation”.

He said: ”I’m pleased to be joining the board as the business looks to achieve its ambitions.”