Ageas Insurance has created three new directors of distribution roles, in a move which it claims emphasises its growth ambitions in the broker and partnership channels.
These leadership positions, split by intermediated distribution channel and reporting to the chief customer officer – Ant Middle, replace Chris Dobson as distribution and development director when he retires from the business at the end of the year.
Appointments for two of the roles have been made from within Ageas. Darren Whittaker, current head of personal lines key accounts, has been appointed as director of distribution for large personal lines brokers and affinity partnerships. This role consolidates Ageas’s personal lines key accounts and affinity partners into a single focused area and simplifies its approach to these relationships.
Whittaker will be focused on building on Ageas’s large personal lines accounts, as well as leading the development of new and existing affinity partnerships, including Age Co and Connells.
Whittaker joined Ageas in June 2010 and has over 25 years’ experience within the industry, having previously held roles at RBS and Merrill Lynch.
Mark Auchterlonie, head of strategic accounts, has been appointed as director of distribution for large commercial lines brokers and new business development, building on his 30 years of experience within the insurance market. He joined Ageas from Aviva in September 2008
The specific focus of his role will be on developing Ageas’s commercial broker accounts, while he will also be responsible for identifying new business development opportunities, including InsurTech, across the wider broker community.
Recruitment for the role of director of distribution for regional brokers, niche and specialist schemes is underway and Ageas expects to confirm an appointment by the end of the year.
Commenting on the changes, Ant Middle said “These internal appointments demonstrate the effectiveness of our succession plans, while also maximising our already strong and established relationships with the intermediated market.
“Both Mark and Darren are well respected distribution leaders and with their significant industry experience and extensive market networks. I’m more than confident that we have an extremely strong team to continue to deliver the service and results our brokers and partners have come to expect from Ageas.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Dobson for his contribution to Ageas and for his assistance in developing this new structure. I look forward to further strengthening the team with the final appointment for the regional broker, niche and schemes role by the end of the year.”
Chris Dobson will remain with the business until the end of the year to ensure an effective handover.