Gallagher unveils senior appointments in its SME and personal lines unit

Gallagher has made two senior appointments in its SME and Personal Lines leadership team.

Barry Duffin has been appointed managing director of Gallagher’s specialist retail brands, which include Deacon, George Burrows, Intasure, Gallagher Leisure, RGA Insurance Group and Vasek.

Duffin moves from his current role as managing director of SME after 10 years of consistent and profitable growth. Barry joined Gallagher over 17 years ago and has held a number of leadership roles during his career with the business.

David Birch has been appointed managing director of SME & Partnerships, combining oversight of Gallagher’s SME business with his current remit of leading Gallagher’s relationships with strategic affinity partners. Birch has led the development of these partnerships over a number of years and they are a significant driver of revenue and growth.

Birch has been with Gallagher for 10 years, has 30 years’ experience in affinity relationships, and has developed partnership schemes with some of the largest banks, retailers, motor manufacturers, utilities and charities in the UK. Both will report into Gareth Birch, Managing Director of SME & Personal Lines at Gallagher.

Gareth Birch said: “Both Barry and David have been with Gallagher for a number of years and I have been continually impressed with their outstanding focus on client delivery. I am delighted that we are able to expand their roles and enable these talented individuals to continue to grow their careers with Gallagher.

“SMEs make up over 95% of the UK’s business population[i], and are a huge and very important part of the British economy. Gallagher works with a large number of SMEs supporting them with risk management and insurance advice, enabling the owners and directors of these businesses to focus on running successfully their firms. We have an established and proven model and there are strong opportunities for further growth.”