Largest Lloyd’s managing agent promotes six to leadership team

Lloyd’s managing agent Asta has announced six promotions designed to “expand the capability and bandwidth of the executive and wider senior leadership team”.

The Davies-owned firm is currently the largest managing agency in the Lloyd’s market, responsible for 15 syndicates and six other third-party underwriting structures.

David Hopkins, who joined the firm in 2024 from Westfield Speciality, will take on the role of chief underwriting officer, while Clare Barley has been promoted to managing director, having spent 11 years at the firm, most recently as chief operating officer.

Barley is succeeded by Leslie Edmonds, who has been appointed chief operating officer from her previous role as operations director.

Meanwhile, Laura McMaster takes on the newly created role of chief experience officer. Asta said her “primary focus will be to provide strategic support and advice to Asta’s syndicate clients as they move through various phases of their development”.

Finally, Ben Carter and Phil White have both been promoted to the position of chief actuary after 12 and seven years at the business respectively.

Career development

Lorraine Harfitt, chief executive at Asta, said: “We are delighted to recognise the talent we have at Asta and to be able to support the career development of our team.

“These appointments will not only support succession planning, but also ensure sufficient leadership attention and time is given to not only maintaining, but continuing to build upon the great business we have.

“I wish them all the best in their new positions and look forward to working with them closely.”