RSA's UK and Western Europe chief executive, Adrian Brown, is to leave after 25 years with the insurer-he will continue in an executive role until a successor is found, but has stepped down from the Board. He will then join AJ Gallagher as executive chairman, underwriting and distribution.
RSA has announced that Paul Whittaker, currently chief executive, Emerging Markets has been appointed to a new role as Group COO with effect from 1st May.
The new role comprises three main elements:
-To lead the completion of our strategic disposals and support remaining Emerging Markets businesses;
-To bring together those areas where RSA can really add value as a Group- T, Global Specialty Lines, Underwriting, Claims and Broker Relationships/Sales - to ensure they deliver performance improvements and exploit our knowledge and scale across boundaries; and
-To bring together the Group Corporate Centre to ensure it is co-ordinated, aligned behind key business objectives and as lean and effective as possible.
Membership of the Group Executive Committee will remain unchanged. Whittaker will also become deputy chair of the Group Executive Committee and a member of the regional Executive Committees.
In addition to retaining his Emerging Markets responsibilities, Group functions for IT, Global Specialty Lines, Underwriting, Claims and Broker Relationships/Sales will report directly to him.
RSA Group CEO Stephen Hester comments "I am delighted to appoint Paul as Group COO. This role reflects our new strategy and will provide essential co-ordination and focus for the successful delivery of the self-help measures underway to recapitalise the business, improve performance and develop lean, low-cost, efficient operations. Paul’s experience and expertise will ensure that we are able to drive positive change throughout the Group, working across boundaries to add real value.
Our mission remains to be really good at what we do–for both customers and shareholders. We have a bright future as a high performing, international general insurer if we deliver on our promises and use this opportunity well.”
Whittaker joined RSA as Group HR Director in April 2003 before being appointed as ceo of Emerging Markets in October 2006. Under his leadership, the Emerging Markets business has grown largely organically from £0.7 to £1.7bn and significantly improved profitability. He has over 20 years senior management experience in the financial services sector including three years at AXA and 10 years at GE Capital, including work in Asia and Eastern Europe on acquisition integration and business development.
RSA has also announced the appointment of Corinne Cipiere as its new managing irector of RSA France.
She will lead a team of over 80 people, providing customised risk management solutions for large and multi-national business domiciled in France. Tailored insurance products include commercial property, liability, construction, power and engineering, and marine.
She will report to Tony Chaudhry, director, Global Europe. Her start date is still to be agreed.
Cipiere is joining RSA from Marsh France, where she was coo and a member of the Executive Committee.
Cipiere comments "With over 10 years of experience in the French insurance market, the opportunity to take on a new challenge with RSA France is very exciting. I am delighted to be joining an outstandng leadership team and I will put all my drive and enthusiasm at the service of our work in this market."
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