Insurance and reinsurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Gallagher) has announced that head of its UK-based brokerage and underwriting unit, Grahame Chilton, is to step down from his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) later in 2018, and will be replaced by Simon Matson.
Matson is currently the head of Gallagher’s London market and Alesco businesses, but will assume the position as CEO of UK brokerage and underwriting following Chilton’s retirement from the firm, which is expected later this year.
Chairman, President, and CEO of Gallagher, J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., commented: “Chily has been an outstanding broker and entrepreneur who has led our 4,500 strong UK broking and underwriting teams to achieve fantastic client service and growth. Under his stewardship, the UK broking and underwriting business has become the blueprint for what a well-managed, well-governed, high performing and ethical business should look like.
“We have a long history of smooth and successful business leadership transitions. Chily’s transition is no different, and I want to thank him for his leadership and tremendous contributions as he now hands over the leadership baton to Simon Matson.”
Discussing the transition, Sue Langley, Non-Executive Chairman, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, said: “Simon has demonstrated his own exceptional broking and inspirational leadership credentials over the past 10 years with the company. With Simon at the helm, we’ll continue the strong growth and evolution of our UK broking and underwriting businesses.”
Commenting on his departure and time with Gallagher, Chilton said: “Gallagher is a superb business with a culture and genuine sense of teamwork like no other insurance broker. I am proud to have played a role in the UK business’ transformation over the past few years and to have led a team that is so rich in talent and diverse capabilities, wrapped around a set of behaviours and beliefs that put positive customer outcomes at the heart of every strategic decision.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside the Gallagher UK executive team which is, in my opinion, the best in the business, and I know the team will continue to achieve great things under Simon’s leadership.”
