AFL replaces CFO with Towergate hire in growth move

Independent Lloyd’s broker AFL Insurance Brokers has replaced its current chief financial officer (CFO) Keely Dalfen with a new hire from Towergate.

Chris Gagg, who was most recently group head of treasury at Towergate Insurance (the Ardonagh Group), has been appointed as new CFO and a member of the AFL board of directors. Gagg has 17 years of experience in insurance and financial services sector, including senior positions at Deloitte UK, Grant Thornton UK and Ernst & Young.

AFL said Dalfen will remain as an advisor to the business for the foreseeable future, focusing on finance and investment projects within the social enterprise and charity sector. Dalfen has been with the business since it was founded in 2008.

AFL chairman Toby Esser said: “Chris is a trusted and respected insurance financial professional and I am delighted to welcome him to AFL. His appointment further cements the leadership team on the board, where his experience and insight will be invaluable in providing strategic corporate finance input as we continue to grow the business into a highly innovative wholesale and retail broker.

"Our strategy is to modernize the broking model to offer more value to our clients, and to achieve a scale that offers a real independent alternative to market incumbents. We will continue to diversify our business and invest in new technology that drives efficiency across operations and finance. I look forward to working with Chris as we expand internationally,” Esser added.

AFL CEO Bob Finch commented: “The last 12 months has seen the company continue to grow into a dynamic and modern home for the best talent, and it is a great pleasure to welcome Chris to the team. At the same time we thank Keely, who has been with the business since it was founded in 2008, for her ongoing dedication and expert insight. We look forward to continuing to benefit from Keely’s input going forwards. Our future is bright and we are delighted that Chris is joining us at this pivotal time in our growth.”

Gagg said: “AFL is an innovation-focused broker on a dynamic growth path. The company is building a business around digitization, allowing it to operate more efficiently, and ultimately better serve clients and partners in the Worldwide Broker Network.

"It is an exciting proposition – the industry as we know it is changing, and the winners of the future will embrace this transformation. I am delighted to have the opportunity to join as CFO at a time when the company is rapidly expanding into a full service independent, international broker.”

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