Avid and Landmark appoint former Canopius chief as chairman

Avid Insurance and Landmark Underwriting have appointed former Canopius chief executive Stuart Davies as non-executive chairman, as the two UK MGAs continue their expansion under Bishop Street Underwriters.

Davies brings more than 30 years of London and international insurance experience to the role. This includes 11 years at Aegis, where he led the turnaround of its Lloyd’s operation before delivering sustained profitable growth.

He subsequently became group chief executive at Canopius, overseeing its international specialty insurance operations, including its US business.

Davies will serve as chairman of both Avid and Landmark, replacing Mark Cliff at Avid and Peter Staddon at Landmark. Both former chairmen are stepping down after six years in their respective roles.

Steve Gibson, chief executive at Avid, said: “We’re an ambitious, fast-growing business and, as we move into the next stage of our development, Davies’ experience makes him a great fit for where we are heading.”

International growth

Davies’ experience of working with international carriers and investors is expected to support the businesses as they develop within Bishop Street’s wider platform.

Bishop Street, which is backed by RedBird Capital Partners, acquired Landmark in February 2025 in its first expansion outside North America, before acquiring Avid in October 2025.

Davies said: “I’m delighted to be joining Avid at an exciting point in its development. It is a fast-growing business with strong financial backing and considerable opportunities ahead of it.”