Going Places

SMG Risk SolutionsLeeds-based insurance broker SMg Risk Solutions has appointed Paul Sams as a property underwriter with the company's property owners division.Sams has three years' experience of underwriting property insurance.In his new role he is responsible for underwriting policies for both the residential and commercial sectors.

Arthur Marsh & SonPinner-based insurance broker John Gibson has joined Arthur Marsh & Son. John Gibson, daughter Nicki Clark and long-standing employee Josephine Evans will be joining Arthur Marsh & Son in its Hayes office.Gibson started his insurance career at Tyser & Co at Lloyd's and has also worked at Martin Clarks and Regina Insurance. He has specialised in placing a range of commercial risks and has worked in the industry for over 40 years. Gibson founded his own broker firm 24 years ago. Clark has worked there with her father for 14 years.The team of the family-run Arthur Marsh & Son has increased to 20.

AbbeyAbbey has appointed Richard Field as director of general insurance. Field is responsible for the development of general insurance policies. Field also oversees the operational side of general insurance. He reports to Angus Porter, Abbey's customer director.Field has joined Abbey from Prudential, where he was director of product management.

Heath LambertHeath Lambert Insurance Services (HLIS) has appointed Paul Hickman as operations director at its Wakefield base.Hickman was previously operations manager for Primary Direct. He ran Primary'spersonal lines contact centre operations.In addition, David Rudd has been appointed business and product development director. Rudd joined HLIS in 2001. Prior to that, he was responsible for product, e-commerce and business development at Halifax General Insurance Services.

Ecclesiastical InsuranceMichael Dimbleby has been appointed development underwriter at Ecclesiastical's Birmingham underwriting centre.Dimbleby has already spent several years working in the Birmingham market with Zurich Commercial, in business development. More recently he had a similar role with Hill House Hammond.Ecclesiastical has also appointed Paul Lee as manager of its new Manchester underwriting centre. Lee has 20 years' experience in the industry and has previously worked for Independent, Eagle Star and Norwich Union.

Limit UnderwritingLimit Underwriting's Syndicate 2724 has promoted Philip Sandle to marine liability underwriter from deputy marine liability underwriter.Sandle has been with the syndicate since 1997 and has now assumed responsibility for the marine liability portfolio. Sandle already represented the syndicate on the joint liability committee.

Halifax General InsuranceHalifax General Insurance has appointed Claire Limon as head of communications. Limon joined Halifax in 1993. She spent five years in management positions in the financial service sector of the Halifax. In 1999 she joined Halifax General Insurance taking responsibility for sales and marketing and later for product development.

DASRay Kneeshaw, sales and marketing manager of DAS UK has joined the board of DAS Ireland, where he has joined Adrienne O'Sullivan and Paul Asplin. Kneeshaw has 24 years' experience of the legal protection maket.

KeoghsKeoghs has appointed three solicitors to its specialist claims unit, which identifies and investigates insurance fraud.Mark Whalley has joined the firm from Martin Kaye Solicitors in Telford. He has four years' experience of personal injury litigation.Vicky Craig has joined from The Clarke Partnership in Stockport.Paul Roberts previously worked at Stephens & Son Solicitors in Kent. He completed his training at Keoghs in September.All three solicitors will be dealing with investigations into staged and contrived accidents, bogus passenger claims, suspicious motor fire and theft claims and potentially fraudulently exaggerated claims.

Donns SolicitorsDonns Solicitors has promoted Adele Warchester, Katherine Hopkins, Ayesha Nayyar and Charles Layfield to partners. Warchester had been Donns' director of quality with responsibilities for HR.Hopkins has been promoted to client care partner in charge of the employers' liability and public liability department. She has been with the firm for nearly eight years.Nayyar joins Donns' specialist catastrophic injury team as partner acting for clients who have suffered serious injuries. Nayyar has been with Donns for over six years.Layfield joined the firm in 1999 and has been promoted to partner in the professional indemnity litigation department.

FirstAssistFirstAssist has appointed Ted Waite as partnerships manager and Julie Goodwin, who will be joining the corporate sales team, as business development manager. Waite joined FirstAssist from Norwich Union Healthcare, where he spent 12 years in a number of roles, including sales, relationship management and customer service. Prior to Norwich Union Healthcare, Waite spent five years with BUPA working in account management and training positions.Goodwin previously worked for BUPA Wellness and Alfred Blackmore.These appointments follow FirstAssist's management restructure to focus on sales solutions for the financial services, SME, and corporate sectors, moving away from a product-led approach.

Company focusJelf Group makes two senior appointmentsThe Jelf Group, parent company of Jelf Insurance Services, has appointed Phil Barton as group commercial director (designate).Barton was initially brought in as a management consultant by the South West-based financial services firm to look at improving processes and profitability. He will also head Jelf's marketing operations. Before setting up his own consultancy, Barton was IFA sales director at AXA Sun Life and previously held senior sales and marketing roles at Scottish Amicable.Andrew Purnell has been promoted to become a director of Jelf Insurance Brokers.Purnell joins the division's four strong management team and has specific responsibility for the company's broking strategy. He will also be part of the project team responsible for changing the way in which the group carries out its business in advance of regulation changes.Purnell joined Jelf three years ago as business development manager. Prior to that he spent 12 years with Aon where he was responsible for coordinating new business and the broking strategy for the South West region.

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