Several insurers and specialty firms have announced executive appointments and promotions across the United Kingdom, reflecting ongoing organisational changes within the sector.
Verisk has expanded Tim Rayner's (pictured above, left) responsibilities to include leadership of its underwriting and claims businesses in the UK and Ireland, as well as its global life, health and travel division.
Rayner, who has more than 25 years of industry experience, will continue to oversee the Specialty Business Solutions unit.
Rayner joined Verisk in 2018 as business development director and has held leadership roles of increasing responsibility since then. He most recently served as CEO of Specialty Business Solutions.
The data analytics firm said the alignment of business units under Rayner's leadership is intended to strengthen client relationships and accelerate innovation.
Allianz UK has appointed Hailey Franklin (pictured above, right) to the newly created role of commercial director for Allianz Personal Broker.
Franklin will report to the managing director of the unit and lead initiatives aimed at strengthening trading performance and business capabilities.
Franklin has spent 13 years at Allianz and in the insurance industry, holding senior roles across pricing, underwriting and distribution.
The appointment follows other recent hires at Allianz Personal Broker, including Glyn Hughes as managing director in September and Vicky Yuill as distribution director in December 2025. Hughes is set to begin his new role in February 2026.
At Allianz Trade, David Barber has been named head of surety & guarantee for the UK and Ireland. He succeeds David Weale, who is leaving the company.
Barber has spent close to 25 years in corporate credit, including 14 years with Allianz Trade. He joined the trade credit insurer as an underwriter specialising in construction and timber sector risks and subsequently held roles including regional underwriting manager for Northern Europe and risk director for the UK and Ireland surety team.
In his new position, Barber will hold a seat on the UK and Ireland executive board of management.
Arch Insurance International has promoted Simone Lewis (pictured immediately above) to London Market professional indemnity underwriting manager.
Lewis is now responsible for overseeing all underwriting activities relating to the London Market PI portfolio, which covers both UK and international risks across traditional and non-traditional professions.
Lewis brings over 13 years of PI underwriting experience to the role. She joined Arch in 2023 and previously held positions at AXA XL and XL Catlin.
Read more: Arch names head of executive assistance, EU
Newline Group has appointed James May as head of general liability and Ben Ward as head of life sciences & clinical trials, effective January 1, 2026. Both report to Martin Hawkins, head of liability.
May joined Newline in 2007 and was promoted to senior underwriter in 2015. Ward has been with the firm since 2019 and was elevated to senior underwriter in 2025. Newline noted Ward's role in expanding the clinical trials portfolio and introducing the firm's first digital health policy.
Separately, rrelentless has appointed Duane Folkard as lead cyber underwriter. Folkard brings over 20 years of industry experience spanning broker and underwriting leadership, portfolio development and complex risk placement.
He will lead and grow the firm's cyber underwriting function as it expands its product pipeline.
