Market moves: Hotting up

l The insurance sector didn’t stop for anyone this summer – even as the UK enjoyed bursts of hot weather (and the odd shower), brokers and providers were swapping roles, creating new jobs and introducing us to new faces. As usual, Gallagher and Towergate were big-hitters (see Market focus), but we also saw lots of regional changes across the country, including a new office for Hugh J Boswell and plenty of developments around the Manchester market. There were exciting high-level appointments and departures too. Steve Lewis swapped Zurich for RSA with Dave Smith stepping up to fill the role and former Paymentshield boss Tim Johnson returned to the market at Stackhouse Poland. The MGA sector was not short of comings and goings with plenty of the changes revolving around Fusion. And Axa continued its push in the Scottish market with three appointments. Hot times indeed.

Brokers

We couldn't write this column without mention of Arthur J Gallagher. The winds of change yet again breezed through its offices, with a number of high level personnel changes being reported. The broker confirmed the departures of Des O'Connor, managing director of Gallagher Insurance Solutions (GIS), and Andrew Wallin, MD of direct at GIS, in July. It said both "have decided to leave the business to pursue other commercial interests".

Gallagher also appointed Steve Penketh to the role of