Gallagher taps 14-year company veteran for key specialty leadership role

Gallagher has made a key new appointment in its specialty leadership team, tapping a 14-year company veteran to build on the “significant positive momentum” the broker has seen in the energy market.

Julian Raven (pictured) has been appointed to the role of CEO of its energy practice, replacing Jonathan Smith who has led Gallagher’s energy practice since 2018.

Gallagher said Smith joined the firm “to deliver specific results over a fixed period of time and is now retiring from the industry”.

Raven joined Gallagher 14 years ago when the firm first established its London-based energy practice and has been deputy managing partner for the last four years. Prior to joining Gallagher, he worked at Aon specialising in energy broking. He will report to Gallagher’s specialty CEO, Jonathan Turner.

Gallagher’s energy team handles upstream, downstream, casualty, power and renewable energy risks for firms internationally and includes over 65 risk professionals. The team has grown significantly in recent years, most recently with a focus on building its specialist renewables team with industry heavyweights including Huw Turner and Mike Parry joining in recent months.

Turner said: “I am delighted that Julian will become CEO of our energy practice and join my leadership team. Julian’s strong leadership skills, commercial acumen and excellent reputation within the insurance industry makes him well-placed to lead the practice. Ensuring that we nurture and promote the talent within our business is a vital part of our long-term growth strategy, and it’s testament to the quality of talent available within Gallagher that we have been able to make this leadership appointment from within our existing team.”

Raven commented: “I am thrilled to be appointed CEO of Gallagher’s Specialty energy practice having been part of the team since 2008. I am looking forward to leading the team and helping to build on the significant positive momentum Gallagher already has in the energy sector. We have ambitious growth aspirations and I look forward to being part of the journey.”

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