Cooper Gay CEO departs

Toby Esser, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford, has stepped down.

Martin Sullivan, non-executive chairman of CGSC, will assume Esser’s responsibilities until a successor has been found.

Sullivan said: "Toby has been with the business for more than 30 years and has been our group CEO since 2001. During that time, the business has grown from humble beginnings to one with global revenues in excess of $350 million.

“Toby steered the business through the transformational merger with Swett and Crawford in 2010 and he has been fundamental to the success of CGSC. While Toby is stepping down as CEO I am glad that we will continue to benefit from his counsel, and he remains a significant shareholder in the company.

“I look forward to working with CGSC’s very strong management team to build on 2014’s momentum and focus on profitable growth while providing our clients with best-in-class service. On behalf of the board of CGSC I would like to thank Toby for his extraordinary service to the company. He has been a central part of our history and success and we wish him well for the future.”

Esser added: “I have been privileged to be part of the growth of CGSC over the past 30 years. To have spent virtually my entire career with a single company is testament to the quality of the colleagues, clients and underwriters with whom I have had the good fortune to work.”