The biggest people moves this week

Kicking off this week’s biggest people moves roster, Aviva promoted Alex McMurrough to the role of chief underwriting officer for commercial lines.

Succeeding Karen Dayal, who left the insurer to take up an external opportunity, McMurrough will lead underwriting strategy and risk appetite across Aviva’s commercial lines.

• Aviva promotes for new commercial lines chief underwriting officer

Then, Marsh appointed Helen Haggie as UK chief claims officer for Marsh Risk, effective from 20 July 2026, and will oversee the delivery of claims services to UK clients and support the use of claims data to improve risk management and placement decisions.

Based in London, Haggie will report to Tom Davies, head of UK placement at Marsh Risk, as well as Rob Powell, global chief claims officer at Marsh Risk.

• Marsh Risk appoints new UK chief claims officer

In further broker news, Gallagher appointed Adam Stafford as chief operating officer for its specialty division.

Stafford will join the business in September this year and be responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations, with a focus on technology, digital innovation and strategic development as the business continues to expand.

• Gallagher appoints ex-BMS leader as COO for specialty division

Next, Aon appointed Tracy-Lee Kus as one of its new co-chief executives for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Emea) in a major leadership shakeup.

Kus will be responsible for the UK, Ireland, South Africa and the Middle East. Aon said that Jane Kielty, who was appointed UK chief executive in January 2024, will be supporting with the transition of the leadership responsibilities in the UK, Ireland and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Kai-Frank Buechter was named as the other co-chief executive for Emea, overseeing Continental Europe and North Africa. Additionally, Pedro Penalva will serve as chief executive of Latin America.

• Aon appoints new Emea co-chief executive with responsibility for UK as leadership changes announced

Finally, at the end of the week, Applied Systems Europe named Dave Chapman as its new managing director, succeeding current chief executive Tom Needs.

Having joined in 2020 and spent the last two years serving as general manager of the firm’s Irish business, successor Chapman will continue to strengthen the European company’s growth as Needs steps down from the role – with him set to depart 30 June 2026.

A spokesperson for Applied Europe told Insurance Times that Chapman “has been a cornerstone of the Applied Europe team for six years and brings deep expertise, strong relationships and a clear vision for where we go next”.

• Applied Systems Europe names new managing director as Needs steps down