RSA overhauls UK management team as senior leaders depart

RSA has announced three senior members of its UK team are leaving.

Chief financial officer Matt Hotson, chief operating officer Darren McKenzie, and managing director of UK personal lines David Coughlan, are all leaving RSA.

Coming into the business is Kay Martin, who will be taking over Coughlan’s old job, responsible for RSA’s personal insurance business. She will take up the position in July, and joins from the Ardonagh Group where she was chief executive of retail and niche distribution.

The wider changes see Louisa Leonard, previously chief operating officer of RSA’s Johnson and Lifestyle business in Canada, appointed chief operating officer, UK&I.

David Germain, currently group chief information officer, will expand his responsibilities to include the UK&I business. Gavin Wilkinson, chief financial officer of RSA’s Irish business, has been named chief financial officer, UK&I.

Egan shapes his team

The shake up follows Steve Lewis leaving his role as UK & International chief executive in February, following difficult year and disappointing set of results. He was immediately replaced by the group’s former chief financial officer Scott Egan.

On the staff management changes, Egan said: “Our personal lines team is at the forefront of our business and critical to our success in the UK.

“Kay has impressive credentials for the role and will bring both energy and expertise to RSA. I am delighted she has chosen to join us and I am looking forward to working with her closely to build an exciting next phase for our personal lines business.

“I am also pleased to welcome Louisa, Gavin and David Germain to the UK&I business. I thank David, Matt and Darren for the hard work and dedication they have shown during their time with the organisation, and wish them the best for the future.”

Martin began her general insurance career at Aviva, where she held a number of marketing, business development and proposition roles, before leading the programme to take Norwich Union to Aviva as director of marketing and communications.

She also spent time at Zurich, where she held several roles including UK chief marketing and communications officer, and interim personal lines managing director.

Martin added: “It’s a great time to be joining RSA’s personal lines business. Personal lines and the MORE TH>N brand are a vital part of RSA’s UK offering and I can’t wait to start working with the team to help it realise its ambitions.”

All appointments are subject to regulatory approval.