Westfield Specialty International has appointed Melanie Gilbert (pictured above) as head of third-party claims, expanding its claims leadership team.
Gilbert will be based in London and will report to Katie MacGregor, director of operations (interim) and head of claims at the company.
In her new role, Gilbert will oversee third-party claims across Westfield Specialty International’s portfolio. She will manage a team responsible for handling complex and high-value claims and will work to maintain relationships with external stakeholders.
“We are delighted to welcome Melanie to our high-performing claims team at Westfield Specialty International,” MacGregor said.
She noted that the team averages more than 20 years of experience in specialty claims within the insurance sector, and said that Gilbert’s technical knowledge and experience managing complex claims position her to lead the third-party claims function.
“The fact we are able to attract individuals of Melanie’s caliber is testament to our reputation for sustained investment in our people and the stand-out appeal of the Westfield culture,” she said.
Gilbert brings more than 15 years of legal experience to the role. She most recently served as senior counsel at Markel since 2020. Her previous positions include roles at Simmons & Simmons, StarStone Insurance, and CMS Cameron McKenna.
In recent weeks, Westfield Specialty International has experienced significant leadership changes. The company’s chief operating officer and chief administrative officer, Jiyan Zora, exited the business earlier this month, marking a notable shift in its executive team.
This change followed the announcement of the upcoming departure of international CEO Graham Evans, who is set to leave the company on Oct. 1. The search for a new leader to oversee Westfield Specialty’s international operations and Syndicate 1200 is currently underway.
Westfield Specialty International said that it continues to focus on claims management and customer service as it grows its team and capabilities.
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