RMS gets new chair plus more people moves

Risk Management Solutions (RMS) has made Paul Dali chairman of its board of directors. Dali, a venture capitalist who has previously backed a number of highly successful technology companies, had already served as an advisor to the board for the past year. In addition to Dali, Dr Gerald Held, a corporate director on numerous technology company boards and a former Silicon Valley software executive, joins the RMS board as an independent director. And Dominique Trempont, an executive and board member with a focus on cloud and new media, also joins the board.

The Willis Global Captive Practice in Europe has appointed Lesley Harding as its chief executive. She will report into Malcolm Cutts-Watson, chairman of the Willis Global Captive Practice – Europe. Harding, whose career started as an underwriter with Swiss Re, will lead the European captive management and advisory team. In her career, Harding also helped set up Arch’s European operations and spent time working as a risk manager at a subsidiary for oil giant Texaco. She joined Willis in 2003 and her most recent role was as a client advocate with Willis Global Solutions.

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford (CGSC) has made Shaun Hooper president and CEO of its wholesale, reinsurance broking and underwriting operations in North America. Hooper joined CGSC in July 2009 as head of Group Operations and was appointed chief executive of Cooper Gay, CGSC's Lloyd's and London market broker, in early 2011. In April 2012, he assumed a wider role within CGSC and led the commercial development of its global operations. Hooper replaces Neal Abernathy who has left the business to pursue other opportunities.

Towers Watson has appointed Alexandra Stewart and Mathieu Denarnaud as specialty London market insurance brokers for terrorism and product recall respectively within its crisis management broking and consultancy operation. They join from Aon and follow the appointments of chief broking officer Christof Bentele who, along with consulting director, Chris Holt, established the crisis management business stream at Towers Watson last year.

Willis Group Holdings has appointed Toby Wemyss as regional CEO of the group’s Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, effective April 1. Wemyss will be based in London and report to Tim Wright, CEO of Willis International. Wemyss joined the group’s Construction, Property & Casualty (CPC) division in 2000, following a period of military service with the Royal Marines. Replacing Wemyss as CEO of CPC is Gianmarco Tosti, currently managing director of Faber Global, the facultative and wholesale broking unit of Willis Group.

Canopius Group has announced that Susan Patschak, chief executive of Canopius Bermuda has decided to step down from her position with effect from May 31, 2013. She will assume a new role within the US insurance industry. Stephen Hartwig, senior vice president of Canopius Underwriting Bermuda, will replace her.

Conning Holdings, the provider of investment management services, has announced that Ron Joelson and David Marks have joined the company’s board of directors as independent directors. Joelson is currently chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual while Marks is chief investment officer of CUNA Mutual Group.