Fusion taps Gallagher for hire as it targets M&A insurance growth

Specialty insurer  Fusion has poached a senior executive from Gallagher as it looks to bolster its Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) insurance offering across Australia, Asia Pacific, and in growth markets in the US and Europe.

Katherine Simmonds (pictured), who joins as managing partner, was previously head of Corporate, Australia at Gallagher. Her previous roles include managing director, Australia and New Zealand at Ironshore Insurance, and Head of M&A Underwriting, Asia Pacific at AIG.

Based in Sydney, Simmonds will have global responsibilities for the firm and will help spearhead the continued growth of Fusion in the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) insurance market across Australia, Asia Pacific, and in growth markets in the USA and Europe.

Founded by industry veterans Killian McDermott and David Rogers, Fusion is part of the POP Holdings Group. It partners with some of the world’s leading insurers including Allianz, Markel, Zurich, Ping An and HDI Global Specialty.

Killian McDermott, the company’s co-founder and executive partner, said: “Katie joins Fusion at an exciting time as we continue to experience significant demand having reached a new milestone of over 200 deals underwritten since our launch less than three years ago. With her extensive background in M&A and her success in building and growing underwriting and broking businesses, she brings highly valued expertise to the company as we prepare to launch new InsurTech products and services internationally.”

Co-founder, David Rogers, added: “I’m very pleased to welcome Katie aboard as a partner in our business. We share a successful track record working together and her unwavering commitment to innovation and top-notch service will allow Fusion to continue delivering market leading M&A solutions for our brokers and their clients”.

Simmonds added: “I am really looking forward to joining Fusion and to reuniting with my former colleague, David. Fusion is a highly successful business with market leading financial lines underwriting talent including Damian Lynch, Managing Partner. With our combined expertise, experience and energy, our ambition is to transform the insurance experience for our clients and partners, and ultimately to grow a fantastic business that delivers on its promises.”

Did you get value from this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.