Creechurch appoints president

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford (CGSC) has appointed Phil Baker as president of its North American subsidiary Creechurch International Underwriters, a Canadian MGA. Baker, who is currently executive president of Creechurch, takes over from Anne Coppens who steps down on January 1, 2014, after fifteen years at the company.

Baker was a senior member of Creechurch management between 1997 and 2003, re-joining the company in 2010 after seven years at Travelers Canada where he led the Canadian Financial & Professional Services Division. Since 2010 he has been responsible for the day to day oversight of Creechurch underwriting, product management and business development.

“We are delighted to have Phil step into this position and look forward to continued growth under his direction,” said Shaun Hooper, president & chief executive officer of CGSC North America. “His history with Creechurch and his industry experience gives us every confidence that Phil will continue to develop the successful and well respected Creechurch brand.”

During Coppens’ tenure, she lead the Toronto based MGA from $6 million in premium to the nearly $40 million it sees today. Coppens will be pursuing interests outside of the insurance industry.

Hooper said: “We are thankful for Anne’s leadership over the last 15 years and we wish her well in the future.”