Be Wiser promotes internally to fill chief exec role as Beckett departs

Broker Be Wiser has unveiled ex-Endsleigh top man Jeff Brinley as its new chief executive, replacing Sharon Beckett who has stepped down to pursue other interests.

Brinley was hired as CFO in November after 29 years with Endsleigh in various roles, with a stint at Zurich in between as finance director, personal lines.

Be Wiser chairman Neil Macmillan said Brinley was ”a highly experienced C-suite insurance executive who has already made a positive impact on our business”.

Brinley himself said: “Be Wiser has invested in building a really strong team over the last year, and we’re now well-placed to make the most of the new opportunities arising in the UK commercial and personal lines markets as the economy emerges from the pandemic and life after Brexit.”

Commenting on Beckett’s departure, Be Wiser founder Mark Bower-Dyke said: “On behalf of all of us at Be Wiser I want to thank Sharon for her immense contribution to the business since she joined us in 2018, and wish her every future success.”

Be Wiser has been on a hiring spree of late. Last month Be Wiser snapped up Joe Capp – previously Traveler’s head of operations for Europe – as its group chief operating officer. It also appointed David Russell as its new chief risk and compliance officer.