Hughes-Gibb appoints managing director

Hughes-Gibb, a bloodstock insurance broker and subsidiary of Willis, has appointed Sophie Chambers as managing director.

Chambers joins Willis from Lycetts, a UK equine insurer. Willis said she joins with Lycetts full acquiescence and in an arrangement that heralds much closer collaboration between both firms and their bloodstock businesses.

Chambers will lead the expansion of Hughes-Gibb, Willis’s specialist bloodstock, livestock and agri-business division, which becomes the exclusive wholesale broker to Lycetts for bloodstock. Two other members of the bloodstock team at Lycetts, Camilla Baker and Ned Barrie, also join Chambers in transferring over to Hughes-Gibb.

John Muir, chairman of Hughes-Gibbs, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Sophie and her team to the Willis family. Working alongside our dedicated group of bloodstock professionals she will drive our continued expansion in this unique and highly-specialised market, building on our well-established tradition of providing the most innovative and cost-effective risk management solutions and advice.”

“Hughes-Gibb and Lycetts are both significant forces in the bloodstock insurance arena. With its impressive multi-national network, expertise and capabilities, Willis’s Hughes-Gibb is unmatched in thoroughbred insurance globally, while Lycetts is one of the principal players in the UK bloodstock market with an established brand and close-knit customer relationships. By combining our strengths and experience we can offer our respective clients the most intelligent cover and unrivalled service for all their bloodstock insurance needs.”

Angus Keate, chief executive officer of Lycetts, said: “Our primary concern is to obtain the best cover at the best price for all our clients and we see this as a perfect fit, allowing us to continue providing a highly bespoke personal service to our clients yet benefitting from the leverage of one of the largest brokers in the world.”