Hiscox eyes growth in UK retail and 'big-ticket lines' with three key hires

Specialist global insurer  Hiscox has strengthened the existing board-level expertise within its two UK legal entities with the appointment of three new independent non-executive directors, who formerly held top positions at MS Amsin, Zurich and Ageas.

James Illingworth will sit on the board of Hiscox Syndicates, which oversees the insurer’s globally traded specialty re/insurance lines, while Mark Cliff and Jane Hayes will both join the board of Hiscox Insurance Company, which oversees its UK retail operations.

Illingworth brings 36 years’ industry experience to the role. He was most recently a non-executive director at MS Amlin Insurance after stepping down from his position as chief underwriting officer in 2019.

Cliff is the former executive chairman and CEO of Brightside Group, as well as chairman of MGA Avid Insurance Services. Prior to Brightside, he was chief executive of retail and distribution at Ageas Insurance. Cliff has over 35 years’ industry experience, and has held a number of senior industry and trade body roles during this time. He will take up his appointment at Hiscox on July 1.

The Lloyd's Market Association underwriting director Hayes has nearly 40 years’ experience running insurance portfolios in all segments. She was previously chief underwriting officer, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Zurich.

Both Illingworth and Hayes will take up their appointments on June 23 and July 1, respectively.

The company stated that the appointments were made through an "open, fair and rigorous" external selection process and are subject to regulatory consent.

Robert Childs, Hiscox Group chairman, commented: “We will benefit immensely from Mark, James and Jane’s knowledge of the market, underwriting and distribution expertise, as we continue to pursue growth in UK Retail and realise the opportunities that exist in our big-ticket lines. These appointments bolster our existing senior expertise and it is always pleasing to attract this calibre of experience to our UK Boards.”

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