The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has appointed Michael Rea, UK chief executive of Gallagher, as its next deputy chair, as the trade body sharpens its focus on immediate challenges facing the broking sector.
Rea will succeed Aon UK CEO Jane Keilty, who is stepping down from the deputy chair role after completing her term. He will formally take up the position on 6 January 2026, at the first BIBA board meeting of the year.
Announcing the appointment, BIBA chief executive Graeme Trudgill said Rea would bring “great experience and knowledge around the current landscape of UK broking” at a time when the association is working to support members through a period of significant market pressure.
“Michael will help us continue to work for our members,” Trudgill said, while also thanking Keilty for her contribution over the past three years and confirming she will remain on the board and continue to chair BIBA’s Insurance Brokers’ Standards Committee.
Rea said the role of brokers in the UK economy was increasingly important, particularly in helping businesses and consumers manage and transfer risk. He added that BIBA’s advocacy work was critical as brokers respond to regulatory scrutiny, complex risks and rising claims costs.
“The more BIBA can do to advocate for the unique role that brokers play in providing insurance solutions, risk management advice, and support during the claims process, the better,” Rea said.
“Given Gallagher’s extensive presence across the UK, I am delighted to have been invited to join the board and help shape BIBA’s agenda of championing and promoting insurance brokers of all sizes and areas of expertise.”
His appointment comes as BIBA announced the theme of its 2026 annual conference. The event, themed “‘Time:To,” will take place at Manchester Central from 13 to 14 May 2026, with a launch networking event on 12 May.
BIBA has said the theme is intended to drive action on immediate priorities such as regulatory pressure, client protection, market competition, rising claims costs and capacity constraints for complex or distressed risks.
More than 9,900 industry professionals and 220 exhibitors are expected to attend the conference. Aviva and Intact will return as principal sponsors.
