Insurance Times rounds up the most significant appointments, hires and leadership developments from 21 to 25 September 2026
Kicking off this week’s round up of the biggest people moves in the insurance industry, Axa XL promoted Debbie Durkan to head of private equity and business development for its UK and Lloyd’s operations.
Taking up the newly created position on 1 October 2026, Durkan will be responsible for developing Axa XL’s private equity proposition, strengthening its market profile and supporting growth across the business.
Next, HDI Global UK and Ireland appointed Louise Radford as active underwriter for Lloyd’s Syndicate 2029.
Currently head of financial lines at the insurer, Radford will continue to lead this team alongside her new responsibility for the syndicate’s underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, regulatory compliance and risk appetite.
Then, global specialty (re)insurance broker Consilium appointed Henry Menage as its professional indemnity (PI) business executive.
Consilium said that he brings experience across a “broad range of PI risks, including large, complex and distressed accounts”, as well as additional expertise “across cyber, directors’ and officers’ and financial lines, with particular experience in the construction sector”.
In further broker news, JMG Group appointed Phil O’Toole as chief financial officer and Lisa Tucker as general counsel.
Both appointments are based at the broker’s London office and bring experience in supporting private equity-backed businesses through periods of growth, acquisition activity and operational development.
Finally, Open GI officially appointed ex-Aviva c-suite James Barnard as its new group chief executive.
Joining from Aviva where he had served as chief operation officer since 2023, Barnard was named as the new boss in April 2026 and the move was made official on 23 September 2026.
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