Seventeen appoints ex-Howden and Gallagher leaders to executive team

Seventeen Group has strengthened its executive leadership team with the creation of two new senior positions, appointing Stephen Smith as chief broking officer and Matthew Crisp as group chief operating officer.

Both executives will report directly to group chief executive Oliver Thorne and are tasked with supporting the next phase of the group’s growth and development.

Smith joins from Gallagher, where he served as managing director of broking and placement for its retail division across the UK and Ireland.

In his new role, he will oversee broking and placement strategy across the group.

He said: “We share an obsession for putting the client first and doing things the right way.

”I’m looking forward to working with the team across the group and helping to build on the strong foundations that are already in place as Seventeen Group continues its growth journey.”

Crisp, meanwhile, joins from Howden, where he played a central role in bringing together the broker’s UK and Ireland retail operations.

Having initially served as integration director, he later became chief operating officer and was closely involved in the business’s transformation and growth programme.

At Seventeen Group, he will oversee operational functions, integration activity and change management across the organisation.

Crisp said: “I am genuinely delighted to be joining such a well-respected business with such an impressive track record and such a great team with palpable energy, client service passion and real ambition.”

Leadership investment

The creation of the two roles reflects Seventeen Group’s continued investment in leadership capability as it expands its UK insurance operations.

Smith’s broking and placement expertise and Crisp’s experience in integration and operational transformation are expected to support the group’s strategy of building scale while maintaining strong insurer relationships and delivering operational efficiency.

Thorne said: “I’m delighted to welcome Crisp and Smith to the group.

”Our continued investment in key leadership positions emphasises our growth philosophy that prioritises quality ahead of scale. Both bring a wealth of experience to our business – not only to make an immediate impact today, but also as we continue to grow into the business that we are becoming.

“To be able to attract such talent to our group is strong validation of our business, our culture and the exciting future ahead.”