Ed appoints underwriting CEO to expand MGA business

Ed, a reinsurance, wholesale and specialty broker formerly known as  Cooper Gay, has appointed Gary Corke as chief executive officer (CEO) of underwriting.

Corke will take up his role in February and report to group CEO Steve Hearn.

In his new role, he will be responsible for managing Ed’s managing general agents (MGA) across the globe and develop an integrated global MGA business unit.

Corke joins Ed from SHA Specialist Underwriters - Africa, where he most recently served as CEO. Prior to this, he co-founded Emerald Underwriting Managers, and held the position of CEO.

Andrew Wallin, group commercial director of Ed, said: "MGAs are an essential part of Ed’s future and a key pillar in our growth strategy. We have exceptional MGA businesses in some of our core markets. We will grow and develop an integrated global MGA business unit which will allow us to better deploy the expertise and experience across our underwriting businesses.

"To realise these ambitions and ensure that our MGA business remains distinct from our wholesale broking we recognise that we need a high calibre individual who has a track record of building and managing leading MGA businesses. Gary is the ideal candidate to spearhead the growth of our MGA business and I am delighted to welcome him to the team."

Corke added: "The opportunity to build a truly global MGA business as part of the Ed Group was impossible to pass up. There is a clear vision and ambition for what this business can become and there is an exceptional base from which to build. I am relishing the prospect."