Steve White named Biba chief executive

Biba has named compliance and training head Steve White as its next chief executive, replacing outgoing chief Eric Galbraith.

The appointment follows a search conducted by headhunting firm Per Ardua, which began in November last year.

The broker trade body has also promoted corporate affairs head Graeme Trudgill to the position of executive director, reporting to White. As a result Trudgill will join Biba’s main board.

White and Trudgill will assume their new positions from 1 May.

Both White and Trudgill were understood to be in the running for the top job at Biba. Although Per Ardua had conducted a search for a new chief inside and outside the organisation, it was considered likely that the top job would go to an insider.

Biba chairman Andy Homer said: “We are very pleased that Steve has accepted the task, as new CEO, to carry forward the strategic reforms envisaged in the extensive consultation currently under way with our members.

“Our search for the right leader has been extensive and to have someone who is both respected and well known by our members is particularly pleasing.”

White commented: “I am delighted to have been given the chance to lead Biba and to follow in the footsteps of Eric Galbraith.

“We have a very demanding board and a clear strategic direction. My first responsibility will be to articulate that to our members and stakeholders and then get on with the job of implementation.

“I’m looking forward to working with Graeme and the rest of the Biba team to continue to drive the organisation forward.”

Galbraith added: “To have a current Biba executive to be my successor – an internal promotion in other words – is great news. Steve really cares about Biba and how we get better in representing members. It is a pleasure to hand over the reins to him.”

White joined Biba in 2004 and has spent more than 35 years in the insurance industry. He previously worked at the Guardian Royal Exchange Group, the General Insurance Standards Council and the Financial Services Authority.

He is known for his strong technical regulatory and compliance knowledge and ability to determine how FSA regulations will affect insurance brokers.