Gallagher has appointed Michael McLaverty as head of its Belfast office and expanded Mark Holmes’ remit to include the Bristol office, the insurance broker has revealed.
McLaverty, who took up the role on January 1, joined Gallagher in 2022 as an account director after more than 25 years in the insurance industry. He began his career at Marsh before spending 15 years at Willis Towers Watson, according to a company press release.
He will lead a team of 50 colleagues supporting businesses across Northern Ireland with risk management and insurance needs. He replaces Shane Matthews, who is moving into an account director role focused on major clients in the region. McLaverty will report to Mark Kerry, regional managing director for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“Michael has played an important part in our success, delivering consistent client growth and helping the Belfast team achieve record-breaking new business sales this year,” Kerry said. “He will be a fantastic leader for our Northern Ireland operations.”
Holmes, who has been with Gallagher since 2011 following the Heath Lambert acquisition, will add managing director of the Bristol office to his existing responsibilities overseeing the Swindon and Gloucester locations. The Bristol office employs more than 100 professionals providing risk management, insurance and consulting services.
The appointment follows the retirement of Andrew Ferguson, who led the Bristol office for nine years after joining in 2014. Holmes will report to Cheryl Philips, regional managing director for the South West.
Gallagher noted its South West operations had seen significant growth following the AssuredPartners acquisition, finalised in summer 2025, which added 12 locations and more than 150 team members.
“Mark Holmes and I have worked alongside each other for a number of years and I know he is a brilliant operator, able to support colleagues and clients alike,” Philips said. “Making this key leadership appointment from within shows our commitment to career development and the talent we have at Gallagher.”
Gary Fletcher, managing director of commercial at Gallagher, acknowledged Ferguson’s departure after 30 years of working together, including time at John Eke and Partners and Oval before he joined Gallagher.
“I would like to thank him for all the good times over the years,” Fletcher said.
Gallagher operates more than 60 offices across the UK and Ireland, specialising in insurance and risk management for mid-market organisations.
