A series of senior appointments have been announced across the UK insurance industry.
Zurich UK has appointed Asha Kumar (pictured above) as its first chief technology officer, subject to regulatory approval. She will also join the UK executive committee in October. The newly created role underscores the firm’s ongoing focus on artificial intelligence and technology.
Kumar, named CIO of the Year in 2023, has spent the past nine years in senior positions at HSBC, most recently as managing director of the chief information office for UK retail, wealth and private banking.
Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI) has named Gavin Bridges as chief claims officer. Based in London, he will report to CEO Thibaud Hervy.
Bridges joins from QBE, where he was head of European market and legacy claims, having previously spent 15 years at Equity Insurance Group. He brings over 30 years of insurance industry experience to TMHCCI, with a focus on claims strategy, client engagement, and portfolio optimisation.
Hervy said the appointment reflects TMHCCI’s commitment to claims excellence and responsiveness. Bridges will work closely with underwriting teams to align the firm’s claims function with its broader business strategy.
Allianz Commercial has announced two new appointments within its portfolio solutions division, which manages delegated authority relationships, including MGAs.
Doan Nguyen-Huu (pictured immediately above, left) will become global head of portfolio solutions on August 1, succeeding Claudia Valencia Lascar. Based in London, Nguyen-Huu will report to Vanessa Maxwell, chief underwriting officer at Allianz Commercial. Nguyen-Huu joined Allianz in 2013.
Joining her team is Daniel Head (pictured immediately above, right), who will become head of delegated authority and portfolio solutions, UK global and international markets, from September 1. He joins from RSA, where he was head of partnerships and spent the last decade managing delegated authority business.
Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK) has hired Lucy Fraser (pictured immediately above) as cyber risk analyst, continuing its investment in cyber capabilities.
Fraser joins from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), where she advised members on cyber policy issues and led engagement with government. She previously worked on cyber and economic crime at the City of London Corporation.
Active insurance provider Coalition has made two new regional appointments as it continues to expand its presence in the UK.
James Holder (pictured immediately above, left) has joined as senior business development manager for the South West and South Wales. He was previously a specialty cyber underwriter at Munich Re. Meanwhile, Sam Mullett (pictured immediately above, right) joins as production underwriter, covering the Midlands. He most recently worked at Aviva as a cyber underwriter.
DWF has announced five senior hires to strengthen its major injury and casualty practice. Four partners – Jennifer Harris, Richard West, Claire Mulligan and Gareth Thomas – are joining from Kennedys, while Victoria Kennedy will join from DAC Beachcroft.
Harris has already started at DWF, while the remaining four will arrive in the coming months. Their collective expertise spans catastrophic injury, travel claims, overseas litigation, liability defence, and crisis management.
