Interim Thistle chief James Twining named group commercial director in board reshuffle

Dominic Burke JLT

Broking group JLT has hired ACE European Group chief finance officer Mike Reynolds as its new finance director.

Reynolds replaces current JLT finance chief Simon Mawson, who is stepping down. Reynolds will join JLT’s board by the end of this year.

Before joining ACE European Group, Reynolds was chief financial officer of Aon-owned reinsurance broker Aon Benfield.

JLT has also named James Twining, currently responsible for group strategy, as group commercial director.

Twining briefly ran JLT managing general agency Thistle on an interim basis. He handed the reins of the MGA to former Footman James chief executive Paul Matthews this month.

In addition, Annette Court and Jonathan Dawson have joined JLT’s board as non-executive directors. Court, best known for previously running Zurich’s European general insurance business and RBS Insurance, joined motor insurer Admiral’s board as a non-executive director in February.

Investment banker Dawson is currently a senior independent director of clothing retailer Next and a non-executive director of life insurer Standard Life.

JLT chairman Geoffrey Howe said: “I am delighted to announce these appointments. Mike’s experience in senior finance roles in the insurance sector makes him an excellent addition to the team. James Twining has made a powerful impact on our strategic planning since he joined the company in 2011 and he will be an invaluable member of the board.”

He added: “I am also pleased to welcome Annette Court and Jonathan Dawson to the Board.  Annette has a wealth of insurance experience, while Jonathan brings significant experience both of the pensions industry and of working in the City at a senior level.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Simon Mawson for his contribution to JLT during a period of continued turbulence in the financial markets and the general economic environment. We wish him all the best for the future.”