Ecclesiastical appoints CEO

Mark Hews has been appointed as group chief executive officer at Ecclesiastical – the UK specialist insurer of charities – after joining the company in 2009 as group chief financial officer and executive director of Ecclesiastical Insurance Office.

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.

Hews 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.

“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,” said Will Samuel, chairman of Ecclesiastical. "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.”

Hews added: “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.”