Sean McGovern appointed chair of Lloyd's Market Association

Sean McGovern has been appointed chair of the Lloyd's Market Association (LMA) for a three-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2026, succeeding outgoing chair Andrew Brooks. 

McGovern currently leads AXA XL's insurance business across the UK and the Lloyd's market as chief executive officer, UK & Lloyd's. He also serves as a director of AXA XL Underwriting Agencies. 

In 2016, McGovern joined XL Group as chief compliance officer and head of regulatory and government affairs, before later being appointed general counsel. He has also spent two decades at the Lloyd's of London Corporation, holding senior leadership roles. 

McGovern's appointment comes at a time when the Lloyd's market is navigating a more stable underwriting environment following several years of remediation and performance improvement. After a prolonged period of volatility, Lloyd's has returned to sustained profitability, with a renewed focus on underwriting discipline, technical expertise and market competitiveness. 

Commenting on his appointment, McGovern said he is looking forward to working with the board and the executive team to ensure the association continues to support managing agents and contributes to the long-term success and competitiveness of the Lloyd's market.

"The strength and depth of the LMA's technical expertise is unrivalled, helping to maintain Lloyd's position as the world's leading marketplace for complex risk," McGovern said.

Meanwhile, Sheila Cameron, CEO of the LMA, paid tribute to outgoing chair Andrew Brooks, who has served an unprecedented two terms. She said Brooks had helped steer the association through the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and into the current phase of improved market stability and performance. 

"Andrew's support and passion for the LMA and our market have been pivotal," Cameron said. She added that McGovern's experience across regulation, governance and underwriting leadership would be highly valuable as the LMA enters the next phase of its work.

McGovern's chairmanship is expected to reinforce the LMA's engagement with regulators, Lloyd's Corporation and wider market bodies, as the association continues to focus on underwriting standards, operational efficiency and the evolving risk environment.