Ex-Allianz boss named as Dual UK chief executive

Howden’s specialist underwriting arm Dual appointed former Allianz chief executive Simon McGinn as its UK chief executive yesterday (4 September 2023).

McGinn will report to Dual Group chief executive Richard Clapham and will join the business at the beginning of 2024, according to a statement.

He has joined Dual having held several senior roles at global insurer Allianz Commercial and Allianz UK over the course of 19 years. Most recently, McGinn held the role of chief executive at Allianz Commercial but stepped down earlier this year (1 July 2023). 

Clapham said: “Attracting someone of McGinn’s calibre to head our UK leadership team is a strong endorsement of the potential we have to grow our already significant UK business.

”McGinn’s leadership skills and proven expertise makes him the perfect person to lead our UK business going forward.

“He brings an exceptional knowledge of the UK insurance landscape, its evolving trends and the emerging opportunities they present.

”McGinn’s vision will see us invest further in the people, technology and data needed to provide our brokers and their clients with expertly tailored products combined with an exceptional digitally enabled service.”

David Howden, Howden Group chief executive, added: “Under McGinn’s leadership, we now have the opportunity to build regionally across the UK, by attracting the very best talent to ensure we are delivering the quality underwriting results we are known for whilst growing the UK business to £1.5bn gross written premium. It is an exciting moment for Dual.”

Multiple opportunities

McGinn joined Allianz in 2004 and held several senior positions prior to becoming chief executive in 2021, including trading director and director of commercial broker markets.

Commenting on his new appointment, McGinn said: “Naturally, I am excited to be joining one of the world’s leading MGAs. As client and broker expectations continue to change and the insurance sector continues to evolve, we’re seeing multiple opportunities created and the need to respond quickly to clients’ needs has never been greater.

“Dual has already proven itself to be a business with a strong sense of purpose and direction and I am looking forward to working with the leadership team to continue the growth they have already seen in the UK.

“As we’re looking to expand the business, I am sure that Dual’s people first and empowered culture, combined with its strong focus on underwriting excellence, will continue to attract capacity providers, brokers, and great people to the business.”

Dual UK underwrites £700m GWP and offers more than 30 business lines. The global business underwriters more than £2.5bn in premium, including a significant London market specialty underwriting operation.