Two major figures in the insurance world are making moves this fall, with leadership changes at Covéa Insurance UK and Ryan Re Underwriting Managers.
Xavier Laurent has been named the new CEO of Covéa Insurance in the UK, taking over from Georges De Macedo. De Macedo, who’s been leading the company since June 2023, is stepping down and returning to France. Laurent, who is joining from Covéa Group, is known for his strong leadership in the general insurance sector and fits well with Covéa’s culture and values. He’s already working closely with De Macedo for a three-month handover to ensure a smooth transition. While stepping down from the CEO role, De Macedo will stay on as a board member to support and oversee the UK business. The board chairman, Chris Moat, thanked De Macedo for his contributions and expressed confidence in Laurent’s ability to take the company forward.
At Ryan Re Underwriting Managers, John “JJ” Gorman is stepping in to lead their Facultative and Facilities division starting October 1. Gorman has over 30 years in insurance and previously heads the facultative business at Berkshire Hathaway, where he built a strong presence. His first focus at Ryan Re will be overseeing casualty facultative lines tied to a recent deal where Nationwide bought the renewal rights for Markel Insurance’s reinsurance business. Ryan Re will manage and underwrite these policies. Emil Issavi, Ryan Re’s President and CEO, called Gorman a market leader and expects his arrival will help the company grow this important area.
These leadership changes come at an interesting time as both companies look to expand and strengthen their positions in the insurance and reinsurance markets. With experienced leaders taking charge, Covéa UK and Ryan Re seem ready to tackle the next chapters of their growth.
You can reach John Gorman at john.gorman@ryansg.com beginning October 1.