MGA Crux makes two senior leadership appointments

Specialty MGA Crux Underwriting has announced two new appointments to its senior leadership team, effective immediately.

Current chief underwriting officer Mike O’Connor takes on the additional role of chief commercial officer, while Natalie Gregory joins the firm as chief executive of political violence and terrorism.

O’Connor – who co-founded the firm in 2024 – has nearly three decades of experience across the industry and has held a series of senior and leadership positions at Marsh, RK Harrison Insurance Brokers and Ascot Group, among others.

Crux said that in his new role he will be responsible for leading “commercial strategy across the business, focusing on distribution, broker relationships and growth initiatives”.

Gregory, meanwhile, joins the firm from Axa XL, where she has spent the past eight years of her career, latterly as political violence underwriting manager.

The MGA said that the appointments “mark an important milestone” in its evolution as it seeks to “invest in technology, innovate how specialist insurance is traded and create new opportunities by bringing high quality risks to the London market from around the world”.

Strong foundation

O’Connor said: “Crux has built a strong foundation with talented underwriting teams, aligned capital partners and a clear vision for the future.

“I’m looking forward to taking on this broader commercial role and helping drive the next stage of the company’s growth, while continuing to strengthen relationships with brokers, partners and clients across our markets.”

Gregory added: “I was excited by the opportunity to join a business that is genuinely combining underwriting expertise with modern technology. Crux has the agility to innovate, develop targeted distribution strategies and bring new sources of business to the London market.

“The chance to learn something new while helping shape the next stage of the company’s growth was incredibly appealing.”