Aon hires private legal practice veteran for senior GBC role

Aon has appointed Edward Smerdon (pictured) to replace David Naylor in the role of head of legal and technical within its Financial and Professional Services division of its London-based Global Broking Centre (GBC).

Smerdon specialises in complex coverage, particularly within financial lines insurance. He has worked in private legal practice for 27 years and joins Aon from Sedgwick Detert & Arnold LLP, where he was managing partner. Prior to this, he was a partner at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP.

Aon’s GBC head of financial and professional services Tracy-Lee Kus said: “Ed’s appointment reflects our ongoing investment in high-quality professionals whose technical capabilities and insights are enabling us to deliver differentiated capabilities to our global clients. We are excited to have him on board.”