He will lead the firm’s transactional risks teams across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, and oversee the expansion of the practice’s services for businesses involved in acquisitions, mergers and other transactions.
Lester joins from Aon, where he spent eight years, most recently as global co-CEO of M&A and transactional solutions. His previous experience includes roles at WTW. He will report to Michael Rea, CEO of Gallagher’s UK broking operations.
The appointment places Lester in charge of Gallagher’s transactional solutions teams in the UK and EMEA, which offer services such as tax insurance, warranty and indemnity cover, litigation risk, structured credit, pre-deal due diligence and post-transaction support.
In June, Gallagher was named the top litigation insurance broker in the Chambers Litigation Support Guide 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year in that position.
The UK transactional risks market has continued to develop alongside sustained private equity activity and growing use of insurance to support deal certainty. Warranty and indemnity insurance remains a standard component of mid- to large-cap M&A deals, while demand for tax and contingent risk cover has increased, particularly in cross-border and complex corporate transactions.
Rea said Lester brings experience in managing global teams and growing revenue, and that he will lead the existing transaction risks team in the UK Specialty division, as well as teams in regional hubs across Europe and the Middle East. He also said Lester would collaborate with colleagues in the Americas, Australia and Asia as the firm develops its global private equity and M&A offering.
Lester said the role of risk and insurance professionals in private equity and M&A transactions has expanded significantly in recent years. He said Gallagher’s team is already well established and that he aims to work with them to build a broader presence in key markets and expand the range of solutions and services available to clients.
