Insurers and intermediaries across Europe and the London market have announced a series of senior appointments as they continue to build out specialist and underwriting capabilities.
The latest moves include a technical and special risks director for Charles Taylor in Europe, senior underwriting promotions at Carbon, and an expanded contingency team at Blenheim.
Charles Taylor has strengthened its European leadership with the appointment of Stephen Hope (pictured, left) as director of technical and special risks for Europe.
In his new role, Hope will support European insurers and reinsurers, helping to coordinate and manage major and complex European and international claims. He will also provide a direct liaison with the London market and will facilitate coordinated access to the firm’s global network.
Hope is a chartered loss adjuster and chartered surveyor with more than 35 years’ experience handling complex, high-value claims, including significant work in the mining, energy and natural resources sectors.
“I am delighted to take on this new role and to reinforce Charles Taylor’s services in the region. Europe is a dynamic business hub and Germany an insurance powerhouse," Hope said. "I look forward to supporting our clients with the expertise and solutions they need for their international claims."
Carbon has expanded its senior leadership team with the promotion of Rob Crocker (pictured, centre) to chief underwriting officer and Julie Gallagher (pictured, right) to group underwriting management director.
Crocker, who joined the company as an active underwriter in 2024, will oversee the firm’s consortia and its US strategy, while continuing as active underwriter for Carbon Syndicate 4747. He has more than three decades of insurance experience and has built portfolios across Lloyd’s, UK, US and Irish platforms. He was previously active underwriter and head of professional lines at Everest.
Meanwhile, Gallagher will provide support to Crocker and Carbon’s underwriting teams in her new role. She has been closely involved in managing Carbon’s relationship with Asta, building out its US strategy, and developing initiatives to improve efficiency across the firm. Gallagher joined Carbon in 2024 as head of syndicate management, becoming chief of staff in 2025, and has held roles at Asta Capital, Chaucer and Benfield Group.
“We are delighted to announce these well-deserved promotions. Rob has made an outstanding contribution since joining Carbon, and his leadership will be important as we continue to execute our growth strategy. Julie has been a driving force behind some of our most important relationships, and her expanded role reflects the impact she has had on the business," CEO Jacqui Ferrier said. "Both appointments are indicative of the exceptional talent we are committed to nurturing at Carbon, and I look forward to seeing them thrive in their new roles.”
Blenheim Underwriting has expanded its contingency capabilities with the appointment of Ian Ritchie as contingency underwriter for Blenheim Syndicate 5886. He will join the non-appearance contingency team in June 2026.
Ritchie will work with team lead Justin Burns and existing contingency underwriter Jane Todd, supporting the development of Blenheim’s offering for clients and brokers. His primary focus will be to diversify the current non-appearance book by adding areas such as event cancellation, prize indemnity, contractual bonus, over-redemption, film and delegated authority schemes.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the contingency market across both claims and underwriting, Ritchie joins from Munich Re’s Lloyd’s syndicate.
The addition of Ian’s expertise to our contingency team will enable us to build a broader enhanced offering in the contingency arena," said Peter Scales, group chairman and CEO. “It reinforces Blenheim’s ethos to offer value to clients and brokers by bringing independent market leading underwriting expertise rather than simply add capacity.”
