The biggest people moves this week

Starting off the week, Aon appointed Michelle Beverely as its new chief broking officer for commercial risk.

In her new role, Beverely will be responsible for shaping the UK commercial risk broking strategy and strengthening relationships with insurers.

• Aon appoints new chief broking officer for UK commercial risk

Then, Markel International appointed Tom Hiller as its chief underwriting officer.

Hillier has been with Markel since December 2023, with him most recently serving as managing director for specialty after launching the insurer’s specialty practice within its international wholesale division.

He takes up the new role as the firm implements a new structure for its international operations.

• Markel International hires new CUO as restructure announced

Following this, Specialist Risk Group (SRG) acquired a new wholesale team, led by Shelley Wright, from Lockton.

SRG said it made the move to expand its London market capability and specialist proposition across Miles Smith, CBC Partnership and The Underwriting Exchange (TUE).

• SRG acquires new wholesale team from Lockton

After that, Allianz UK appointed Mansoor Reehana as its first head of artificial intelligence (AI), marking a strategic move to expand the insurer’s use of AI across its operations.

The newly created role, which sits within Allianz’s central data team, will see Reehana lead the strategy, architecture and product delivery of AI initiatives. He will focus on aligning advanced technologies with the firm’s goals and overseeing the rollout of enterprise-scale AI and machine learning platforms.

• Allianz UK promotes data science manager as inaugural head of AI

Rounding off the week, Howden announced it had appointed Susan Panuccio as its new group chief financial officer, effective 6 January 2026.

Panuccio will bring more than 30 years of global financial leadership experience to the broker’s board as the company pursues its plans for the future.

• Howden appoints new group chief financial officer