16 April 2014 Insurance

RSA CEO steps down; joins AJG

Adrian Brown, executive director and chief executive officer of RSA Insurance’s UK & Western Europe business will join Arthur J Gallagher, following his resignation from RSA Insurance.

Brown, who is stepping down due to commitment issues within RSA’s business plan, will become executive chairman of underwriting and distribution at Arthur J Gallagher once released from RSA.

Brown has resigned from the RSA board but will continue his executive role until after a successor is appointed.

Stephen Hester, RSA chief executive, said: “Adrian has served RSA with distinction for 25 years, including since 2008 as CEO of our UK business. He has many friends here and in the industry and we are grateful for all he has done for RSA. We will miss him when he leaves but look forward to a strong relationship continuing at his new employer.

“For Adrian, this move to the broking industry represents a fresh challenge at which I believe he will excel. For RSA it provides the opportunity to appoint new leadership in this key part of our business. We have an ambitious business plan which now needs to be driven over a time horizon that Adrian could not reasonably commit to. There is a strong and valued team in place in the UK with many initiatives underway to build on our existing business and improve further. I look forward to working closely with Adrian and our team in the coming period to ensure a successful transition.”

Adrian Brown said: “RSA has been my home for 25 years. I have enormous affection for the group and confidence in its future. I have led the UK business for almost seven years and the time is right for me to take up a new challenge and for the business to seek fresh leadership. I am confident that the foundation and talented colleagues are there to keep the business moving forward. I will remain fully engaged in the coming weeks with business as usual and in due course look forward to continuing a strong relationship with RSA in my new role.”

David Ross, AJG chief executive officer, said: “Recruiting Adrian is a huge hire for us. I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing him professionally and personally for many years and it would be hard to find someone more well-regarded or highly respected as a business leader, industry influencer and entrepreneurial force. With credentials and achievements that span some 25 years in the sector, Adrian’s track record in delivering profitability, transformational change and business growth are second to none — and his energy and enthusiasm relentless.

“At a time of our own transformational change — most notably in our UK commercial broking division, following the recent acquisitions of Giles and Oval — the opportunities for expansion and growth within personal lines broking and underwriting remain substantial. I know that Adrian will prove an inspirational force for our business leaders as they execute their strategies to capitalise on capabilities and propel us to the next step-change in growth, while ensuring that a robust governance framework underpins our expansion and development.”

Already registered?

Login to your account

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Elliot Field at efield@newtonmedia.co.uk or Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk