Lockton lures Swiss Re senior exec as head of UK commercial wholesale

Global re/insurance broker  Lockton has tapped a senior Swiss Re executive to head up its commercial wholesale operations in the UK.

Shelley Wright will join Lockton as new head of UK commercial wholesale, replacing David Lee.

Lee is retiring after 49 years of working in the insurance industry, the last 11 years at Lockton. He will begin to transfer his areas of responsibilities to Wright who will be focused on maintaining and building the capability and execution of strategies for clients.

Lockton said that under Lee’s tenure, its UK commercial wholesale has grown its revenue by an average of 35% y/y over the last three years.

Wright has 36 years of industry experience and joins from Swiss Re Corporate Solutions where she served as director of standard propositions EMEA and previously as head of UK regional business. Prior to that, she worked at Lorega as director of innovation and new products and held various roles at Groupama, most recently as customer proposition manager. Wright also worked for GAN Minster, Fortis Insurance and Catterall Insurance Services.

Tony Hardy, head of Lockton P&C, said: “The Commercial Wholesale team has been growing rapidly over the last few years. We have built a business that produces just short of £3m Brokerage Income per annum and one that places around £34m of Premium per annum into the market. As the business unit grows and embraces a period of transition, our aim of providing clients with top quality service remains at the core. Shelley’s extensive experience makes her the ideal candidate to build on this momentum.”

Lee, current head of UK – Lockton Commercial Wholesale, said: “As I move on over the next 12 months, I couldn’t be more pleased to leave the team in Shelley’s capable hands. Her decades of experience and valuable relationships will be key to realising the opportunities we have developed.”

Wright commented: “Lockton’s ambitious strategy for the Commercial Wholesale team and David’s leadership has grown the team from strength to strength. The opportunities at Lockton for growth and development are unparalleled and I look forward to maintaining and building on the team’s momentum and growing market position.”

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