Sedgwick, a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions, today announced the appointment of Ruth Leggett as CEO of its operations in Ireland. Leggett steps into the role held for 24 years by industry veteran Malcolm Hughes, who will remain with the company as executive chairman for Ireland and international executive director.
As CEO, Leggett will work to further grow Sedgwick’s business and resources in Ireland — a key geography in Sedgwick’s global network. Her deep involvement in the company’s day-to-day operations as chief of staff and deputy CEO for Ireland and years of experience integrating teams, empowering colleagues, and advancing organizational development position her well for success in her new role.
“Ruth has spent her entire career supporting and empowering Sedgwick colleagues, and she’s made an especially powerful mark in spearheading female leadership development,” Hughes said. “Her unparalleled commitment to the advancement of the company has paved the way for her to take on the CEO role. She is the future of Sedgwick in Ireland, and I’m incredibly pleased with all that she’s achieved. Her appointment as CEO underscores our commitment to attracting, retaining, and developing exceptional talent so that other up-and-coming leaders may follow in her footsteps.”
Through this transition, Hughes will be elevated to the role of executive chairman for Ireland, remaining an integral part of the domestic management team. He will also serve as international executive director of Sedgwick, with a focus on diversifying the company’s global service offerings.
“Malcolm’s industry expertise and decades of experience remain invaluable to us as he adopts a broader global role and works to bridge our international relationships and service offerings,” said Mike Arbour, CEO of Sedgwick. “He is an outstanding addition to our international business leadership team as we execute our diversification growth plans.”
Leggett joined Sedgwick as a graduate trainee in the third-party administration (TPA) division and later transferred to colleague resources (CR). There, she transformed the strategic capabilities of the department from a primarily administrative group to an integrated resource arm supporting operations nationwide. As head of CR for Ireland, Leggett drove retention, engagement, innovation and efficiency among more than 400 colleagues. In light of her success, Leggett was appointed to an additional senior-level role as chief of staff, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day strategic management of operations in Ireland.
She is a graduate with honors from the University College Dublin and holds a master’s degree in management from Smurfit Business School, Ireland’s leading business college. Leggett is a Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP) and Certified Insurance Director (CID) through the Insurance Institute of Ireland and in 2019 was named among the Business Insurance Women to Watch in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
“I am excited to play an important part in Sedgwick’s ongoing journey in Ireland and to take the reins from Malcolm Hughes, who has been my friend and mentor for the past 10 years,” Leggett said. “Throughout my tenure at Sedgwick, I’ve always believed that our people are our most important asset, and a strong and engaged team is vital to our success. I am deeply committed to delivering on our values and objectives for the benefit of all stakeholders, colleagues, clients and investors alike.”
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