Guy Carpenter poaches Willis Re duo for unit focused on MGA programmes

Reinsurance broker  Guy Carpenter & Company, a part of  Marsh McLennan, has hired two senior  Willis Re executives for its  GC Access business unit, which is focused exclusively on the development of managing general agency (MGA) programmes.

Matt Petka has been appointed as managing director, and Riley Underwood as senior vice president within GC Access.

In his new position, Petka will assume a senior leadership role within GC Access, responsible for overseeing solution development and client management. Alongside Underwood, he will focus on delivering programmes for US regional clients in the MGA sector. Based in Dallas, Texas, they will report to Michael Jameson, president of GC Access.

Petka has more than 22 years of broking experience, with extensive knowledge of the US auto and property sectors. He joins from Willis Re, where he was executive vice president managing a team focused on MGA and programme business.

Underwood is a senior broker who also joins from Willis Re. Most recently, he was senior vice president responsible for new account production and account management.

GC Access offers a range of services to carriers and MGAs operating in the dynamic programme market, including carrier and reinsurance transactions, captive support, insurtech expertise and program startup roadmaps.

Jameson said: “Today’s announcement of these two senior appointments demonstrates our full commitment to building on the considerable success achieved to date by GC Access. Matt and Riley are both seasoned practitioners in the MGA arena who bring depth of market insight that is critical to developing the fully optimised programme solutions we deliver for our clients.”

John Trace, CEO of North America at Guy Carpenter, added: “ GC Access has already helped to set a new standard for programme delivery in the MGA sector since its launch in 2020. Through the range of services and analytical solutions that Michael and the team offer, we are helping position our clients to capitalise on the expanding opportunities this sector provides. Our ability to continually attract great talent to our organisation is a further testament to the leading position that we have established."

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