Seventeen Group has confirmed that appointment of Oliver Thorne as its new chief executive officer, succeeding long-serving leader Paul Anscombe.
The transition will take place on Oct. 27, 2025, subject to FCA approval, with a swift handover planned to ensure continuity.
Thorne (pictured above) brings more than two decades of experience in insurance broking and underwriting to the role. He is currently managing director of Specialist Risk Insurance Solutions (SRIS), the retail division of Specialist Risk Group (SRG), where he has overseen the development of its specialist broking teams since 2022.
Before SRG, Thorne held senior leadership roles at Gallagher, including regional managing director, where he managed specialist retail operations and regional growth strategies. Earlier in his career, he spent several years at Stackhouse Poland, serving as managing director of its commercial and corporate divisions. His track record includes growing broking teams, integrating acquisitions and driving sustained organic growth across diverse insurance portfolios.
Seventeen Group, which includes broker James Hallam, MGA Touchstone Underwriting and loss adjuster 4Sight Risk Management, has been expanding steadily through both acquisitions and organic growth. In March 2025, the group secured investment from IK Partners, a move designed to accelerate its growth trajectory, strengthen technological capabilities and support its long-term independence. The business now manages around £400 million in premiums and operates from 25 offices across the UK, the DACH region, and the Isle of Man.
The appointment comes at a time of heightened competition in the UK broking market. Consolidation across the sector has created several major independent players competing with global brokers for market share, while client demand for digital services, data-driven insights and value-added advisory support continues to grow. Insurers and intermediaries alike are under pressure to demonstrate agility, cost efficiency, and expertise in specialist lines. Thorne’s leadership background, particularly in managing growth-focused businesses, aligns with these market demands.
Outgoing CEO Paul Anscombe and executive chairman Paul Turner said Thorne’s experience and industry relationships make him well placed to lead Seventeen Group into its next phase of development.
