Agria appoints Wheeler as managing director

Agria Pet Insurance has announced the appointment of Simon Wheeler as its managing director.

An insurance specialist with significant expertise in the pet sector, Wheeler moved from his previous position as head of sales and marketing for Agria on 17 May.

Prior to joining the company, he worked extensively across the consumer insurance industry in a range of key roles. An animal lover, his approach blends compassion and understanding with sector and business knowledge.

“I am tremendously excited by the opportunity to steer Agria Pet Insurance through its next phase of development,” he said.

“The business has had some real challenges in a tough marketplace, but with the experience and strength in the UK team, our important commercial partners and an increasingly sophisticated infrastructure, I believe the company is now positioned perfectly to drive the Agria brand forward and deliver the long-term growth ambitions of staff and shareholder alike and, importantly, enable customers to enjoy the very best, long-term healthcare provision for the pets in their families.”

Agria International managing director Øystein Berg said: “We are delighted to appoint Simon as the new managing director of Agria’s UK operation. His success heading up the sales and marketing division, coupled with his years of experience in the pet insurance industry, makes him the obvious choice to take the business forward.”

Agria Pet Insurance – which is based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire – is one of the world’s leading animal insurers, specialising in small animal, equine, avian, exotic and agricultural insurance products. The company is also one of the oldest pet insurers in the world, having insured its first horse in 1890.