Insurance Daily News

Ardonagh, Gallagher, AXA XL and Arch Announce Key Leadership Changes

Ardonagh is reshaping its combined managing general agent (MGA) platform under the Orvia brand, appointing Kat Cross as chief financial officer and Louise Doyle as chief operating officer of Orvia Underwriting, pending regulatory approval. Both executives bring decades of senior insurance experience—Cross from Acrisure and Doyle from Direct Line, Modus, Innovisk Capital Partners and Canopius—and will report to Orvia CEO Mark McIlquham. Their mandate includes integrating Ardonagh’s European, UK and specialty MGAs and the broader underwriting portfolio by 2027, a move that could alter branding, systems and broker relationships.

Gallagher announced James Whittingham as chief operating officer for its UK and Ireland division, effective April, also subject to regulatory clearance. Whittingham, who has served as Gallagher’s UK and Ireland retail CFO since 2019 and previously held roles at Equiniti, RSA and RBS, will succeed Charles Crawford, who will retire at the end of 2027 after joining in 2016. The transition will be overseen by UK and Ireland CEO Michael Rea, aiming to maintain continuity for brokers and insurers.

AXA XL is expanding its UK and Lloyd’s sports, media and entertainment team with Matt Helm as head of the sector, starting in the first half of 2027. Helm joins from Aon, where he led contingency and events, and adds to a team that includes internal promotions Stephanie Barry and Martin Reames as underwriting managers. Chief underwriting officer Louise Nevill highlighted the sector’s varied risk profile and the benefit of a rebuilt specialist team for brokers placing event, production and sports risks.

Arch’s UK regional division added senior property and casualty underwriters Abigail Dent-Jones and Chelsea Sparey, enhancing regional broker access to decision-makers in a soft market. Dent-Jones comes from Victor Insurance and Sparey from DUAL, covering East Anglia, the West, South West and Wales respectively.

The Fidelis Partnership created a head of corporate affairs role, filled by Rebecca Matts, who joins the executive committee and reports to CFO Conor O’Riordan. Matts brings senior communications experience from Hines, Nomura, BlackRock and HSBC, reflecting Fidelis’s push to raise its global profile.

Why it matters

These appointments signal strategic realignments that could affect broker access, product development and service continuity across major insurance markets.

FAQ

Who are the new CFO and COO appointed by Ardonagh for Orvia Underwriting?
Kat Cross has been appointed chief financial officer and Louise Doyle as chief operating officer, both pending regulatory approval.

When will James Whittingham start as COO of Gallagher UK and Ireland?
He will assume the role in April, subject to regulatory approval.

What new role did Matt Helm take at AXA XL?
Matt Helm was appointed head of sports, media and entertainment for UK and Lloyd’s, starting in the first half of 2027.

Which law firm hired new partners for its marine and energy practice?
DAC Beachcroft hired Toby Savage and Will Jones as partners in its global marine and energy insurance practice.

Source: Insurance Business UK. See the original source for full details.