London Market Group appoints first permanent CEO

London Market Group (LMG) has appointed Chris Beazley as its first permanent chief executive officer (CEO) effective November 7.

Beazley will take over from Ben Reid, who was seconded from Ernst & Young (EY) as interim CEO. Reid will return to EY where he has been promoted to become an executive director.

“We are delighted that Chris is joining us to take our growth and modernisation agenda forward to the next stage,” said Nicholas Aubert, chairman of the LMG.

“Ben has done a tremendous job in building out our workstreams and has delivered real progress in our activities around telling the London Market story and, working across government and Parliament to help create a better business environment for specialty (re)insurance in London.

“Ben will continue to push ahead with this agenda through the autumn. These are strong foundations on which to build, and Chris’ deep understanding of the market and experience both here and in other markets, will provide the leadership and drive to do just that.”

Chris Beazley is currently head of strategy and global clients for MS Amlin’s Reinsurance Strategic Business Unit. He will be seconded from MS Amlin to the LMG for a period of three years.

He joined Amlin in 2007 to start up the group’s Singapore operation as managing director & principal officer.

Returning to the UK in 2010 he undertook underwriting management roles within the London marine and reinsurance businesses before being appointed to his current role. He joined the industry in 2001 as an energy broker with Willis based in London as well as the US.

Beazley said: “LMG has been transformed over the last several years and it is an exciting time to be taking over as the first permanent CEO. There is no doubt the business environment is more challenging than ever for companies within the London Market.