IUA appoints new chair as McDonald steps down

The International Underwriting Association (IUA) has elected Convex’s UK chief executive Theo Butt as it new chair. 

He will take over from current chair Claire McDonald, chief executive at Scor Business Solutions, who is stepping down at the end of a fixed two-year term in the role.

Butt’s election took place at the October meeting of the IUA board and will formally take on his new role 1 January 2026. He has been a member of the IUA board since April 2023.

Chris Jones, chief executive at the IUA, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Butt on his appointment as chair of the IUA.

”He has been a respected and influential member of the IUA board for the past two years and will be an effective leader for the London company market at what is a critical time for the with challenging market conditions.

”I look forward to working with him as we strive towards further digital transformation and operational efficiency and shape future strategies for both the IUA and wider London market.”

A ‘smooth transition’

McDonald steps down after serving on the IUA board since 2021.

Jones added: “I would also like to thank McDonald for her support of the IUA’s work and driving delivery of our corporate strategy.

”As chair of the association she has played a vital role, advocating with authority on technical underwriting and claims issues for specialty lines and monitoring the development of new digital services for our sector. McDonald has also given huge support to myself as incoming chief executive at the IUA and helped implement our new senior leadership team structure.”

On his appointment, Butt said: “I am delighted to have been appointed the new chair of the IUA and am looking forward to working closely with Jones over the next couple of years.

“I have enjoyed supporting McDonald in her role as chair and want to thank her for all her hard work and in managing a very smooth transition. It is both a challenging and exciting time in the London market and I am really looking forward to working with the team to continue to promote the IUA agenda across the many initiatives and projects it is leading.”