Gallagher fills key EMEA leadership role from within amid ‘transformational’ growth

Global re/insurance broker  Gallagher is pushing a long-serving insider with 25 years’ experience in regulatory, risk and compliance to a key EMEA leadership role. The executive is said to have played a pivotal role during its “transformational” growth period.

David Cousins (pictured) has been named chief risk and compliance officer for Gallagher’s operations across Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA). He is replacing Carol Richmond, who is leaving Gallagher after eight years.

Cousins has more than 25 years’ experience in regulatory, risk and compliance roles and joined Gallagher in 2007. He has held a number of senior level compliance and risk roles whilst at the firm, most recently as chief compliance officer for its UK business, prior to which he was compliance director for its EMEA businesses.

Cousins started his career at the Bank of England before moving to what was then the FSA, during which time he worked as a policy specialist working on regulation for insurance and mortgage intermediaries, prior to managing the team overseeing London market insurance broking. He will report to CEO of EMEA, Simon Matson.

Cousins said: “I am delighted to be appointed Chief Risk and Compliance Officer for Gallagher’s operations across EMEA. During my career at Gallagher, I’ve been able to support the business through an incredible period of transformational growth and it will now be my privilege to lead and progress the risk and compliance strategy as we continue that journey.”

Matson commented: “It is testament to the talent in our business that we have been able to promote from within our existing team for this pivotal role. David’s wealth of knowledge from the industry, his experience as a regulator at the FSA and Bank of England, his corporate history and professional expertise make him the natural successor for this role. I am delighted that he will be joining my executive team and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

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