Gallagher pulls team of eight from Willis Towers Watson for new practice

Broker Gallagher has launched a new bloodstock, livestock and aquaculture practice. The team of eight, led by Sophie Chambers and Dan Fairweather, has joined Gallagher from Willis Towers Watson.

The London-based team will be part of Gallagher’s UK Specialty division and will be responsible for clients globally.

Chambers has joined as managing director and will head up the practice. For the last six years, she was director, global asset protection, responsible for bloodstock at Willis Towers Watson. Prior to that, she was a divisional director at Lycetts, the farm and estate broker, for nine years. Sophie has over 30 years of bloodstock industry experience and will work primarily with bloodstock clients.

Fairweather has joined as divisional director and will be focused on supporting aquaculture and livestock clients. He was at Willis Towers Watson for the last seven years, as a divisional director, and brings with him specialist aquaculture underwriting experience having worked at RSA for six years.

John Thompson, head of business development, Gallagher’s Speciality division, said: “Last year we identified an opportunity for Gallagher to develop a unique global bloodstock, livestock and aquaculture practice and I’m delighted to welcome this highly skilled new team to the business.

“The London based team will support clients globally, and are demonstrative of the talent pool in the London Market which we can draw on for the benefit of our clients across the world. Investing in talent is an important part of our long-term strategy and it’s fantastic to be able to offer a brand new sector specialism.”

Sophie added: “I am impressed by Gallagher’s approach of putting clients front and centre and employing sector specialists who know and understand their clients’ needs. Gallagher already has a strong client base in sports, and adding bloodstock is a natural extension of this. I am passionate about the sectors we support and as part of Gallagher I believe we can continue to develop our client base further and provide innovative solutions that will appeal to the bloodstock, farming and aquaculture industries.”