Des O'Connor and Andrew Wallin quit Gallagher

Two senior managing directors from Arthur J Gallagher’s direct and partnerships business have resigned, Insurance Times has learned.

Des O’Connor, managing director of Gallagher Insurance Solutions (GIS), and Andrew Wallin, managing director of Direct, have quit for new roles in private equity.

O’Connor has run GIS since January 2012, and the division has grown its turnover by more than 90% in the last two years and has 550 full-time employees.

Before becoming managing director of GIS, O’Connor ran Gallagher London’s binding authority and facilities division.

Gallagher UK commercial director Janice Deakin said: “Over the past couple of years, Des and Andy have done an amazing job creating a substantial UK personal lines, partnerships and affinity business from scratch through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth.

“The Gallagher Insurance Solutions business we have today owes much to their vision and drive – it is a business we are immensely proud of, with talented leadership teams delivering fantastic partner and customer propositions as they execute on a clear strategic path to continued success and growth.

“While we will be incredibly sad to see Des and Andy leave, they both felt this was the opportune time to take up a new challenge in a different sector and we wish them every future success. Until their successors are appointed, the GIS management and business teams will continue to do an excellent job implementing the defined strategy we have in place.”

GIS is made up of the Direct and Partnerships businesses, with the latter headed by managing director Alan Sanderson.

It moved four of its direct and specialist divisions into a new centre in Bournemouth in February, creating Gallagher’s largest centre outside London.

GIS reports into Gallagher’s underwriting and distribution arm, which will be headed by Adrian Brown when he joins as executive chairman on 1 September.