The biggest people moves this week

Kicking off the week with a particularly notable appointment, health and cash plan provider Simplyhealth hired former Intact Insurance UK commercial leader Sonya Bryson as its new managing director.

Previously, Bryson had been managing director for commercial lines at Intact, but opted to leave to pursue other opportunities in June 2025.

• Former Intact commercial managing director lands new role

Then, Willis Networks promoted Lynne Norledge to the role of managing director and Mark Cobham to deputy managing director.

• Industry veteran appointed managing director at Willis Networks

Next, Lycetts appointed John Dawson as its new commercial director to help shape the broker’s commercial strategy and client proposition.

Dawson has experience across insurer distribution, broking, product development, eTrading and digital strategy, having spent more than 12 years at Zurich.

• Lycetts appoints new commercial director

In insurer news, QBE appointed Jack Norman to the role of director of financial lines for its international markets portfolio, effective from September 2026.

Currently serving as the firm’s head of technical and business performance, Norman inherits his new role from previous incumbent Jamie Thompson, who was recently promoted to the newly created role of global director of data centres. 

• QBE promotes for new director of financial lines

Finally, Marsh Risk appointed James Lean as its new UK transportation and logistics industry leader.

Based in London, Lean will lead Marsh Risk’s UK transportation and logistics industry strategy and report to Charles Beresford-Davies, UK industries leader at Marsh.

• Marsh appoints UK transportation and logistics industry leader