Ecclesiastical Insurance Office today announces that Mark Hews will become Group Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
Mark joined Ecclesiastical in April 2009 as Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc. Over the past four years he has played a major role in transforming the business, managing and leading a number of significant initiatives which have enhanced the Group’s financial strength and profitability. These have included leading a highly successful capital raising exercise and the transformation of Ecclesiastical Investment Management.
Mark has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry and has undertaken a variety of roles on the Boards of HSBC Life, M&S Life and Aviva Healthcare. During this time he designed, led and implemented major changes that reshaped the business model and culture, and transformed financial performance.
Will Samuel, Chairman of Ecclesiastical, said:
“Speaking on behalf of the Board and as Chairman, I am delighted that we have appointed Mark as CEO of the Group. His appointment follows a comprehensive search process which produced a shortlist of exceptional candidates.
“Mark has an outstanding track record of successfully driving through major change programmes, implementing profitable growth, transforming organisational performance and reshaping culture in order to create high performing businesses. In addition, he benefits from having a strong understanding of each of the Group’s businesses; and an appreciation of the Group’s unique history and culture, both of which have played a major part in its success to date.
“Mark inherits a financially strong underlying business, a professional management team and highly committed staff. The Board and I are confident that he will not only execute the current strategy and plans, but also lead the Group forward successfully into its next stage of development over the medium term.
“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Tripp for his commitment and contribution to the Board and company over the last six years. Michael’s achievements have been considerable and have helped reshape Ecclesiastical.”
Mark Hews said:
“It is a privilege to lead Ecclesiastical. This is a business with a unique heritage and positioning, an excellent reputation with customers and business partners in the markets in which it operates, and skilled, talented and dedicated people throughout the organisation.
“We currently have in place clear plans that address both the immediate challenges facing the business and the longer term objectives of delivering profitable growth. As we move to the next stage of our development, we will get out on the road to listen to Ecclesiastical’s stakeholders, including customers, brokers, investors, staff and regulators so that we can better understand both the issues and opportunities that face our different businesses.
This will give us the opportunity to see how we need to fine tune our plans so that we can provide exceptional customer service to all.
“I’m very excited about the future prospects for the Group and look forward to working with the Board, management team and our colleagues on implementing the strategy, taking the business forward and ultimately increasing the return we deliver to our charitable parent.”
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