Clear Group executive director Simon Taylor joins Gallagher

Arthur J. Gallagher has appointed Simon Taylor as sales director of its UK managing general agency (MGA) division.

Taylor’s newly created role follows the rebrand of Arthur J Gallagher’s 10 UK MGAs as Pen Underwriting.

He will be responsible for devising and implementing a cross-divisional sales strategy and ensuring all of Gallagher’s retail broking partners fully understand and have access to products available with the MGA.

Taylor joins Gallagher from The Clear Group where he was executive director.

At Clear he led the group-wide marketing activity and assumed responsibility for the creation of e-trade systems, markets and broker strategy.

Prior to that he was regional managing director at Willis for Central and South.

Arthur J Gallagher managing director of MGA Mark Armitage said: “Simon’s track record of delivering profitable growth at a range of broking groups, MGAs and insurers — coupled with his significant experience of product build, development and distribution — sees him well-placed to drive forward the next chapter of our growth, as we begin to bring all our UK MGAs together under the Pen Underwriting brand and realise the potential of offering a wider range of services to our broker partners.”

Taylor added: “With specialist products ranging from petrochemicals to professional indemnity, and real estate to recruitment, I can’t wait to start showcasing the breadth and depth of our offering.

“The opportunities for growth are many, not least the untapped potential of establishing new products for members of our networks division, Compass Broker Services.”

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