Gallagher has bolstered its Manchester-based team with the hiring of Colin Cunningham and Rachel Smailes, two long-serving employees of rival-firm Marsh, as it looks to expand its Trade Credit & Surety Practice across the North of the UK.
Cunningham, who brings 28 years’ experience, has been appointed to the UK-wide role of National Sales Leader for Trade Credit & Surety and will be based in Manchester.
He spent 17 years at Marsh in Manchester, the last five as national sales leader for trade credit in the UK and Ireland, working closely with insurers, clients, financiers and prospective clients to deliver effective risk transfer solutions.
“I’m delighted to join the Gallagher group and their great team of trade credit and surety professionals,” commented Cunningham.
“In the current climate of economic and political uncertainty, there has never been a better time to help protect our clients’ balance sheets, provide advice on the options of risk transfer or mitigation, and support their growth strategies.”
“I’m looking forward to working with a fantastic team, growing and strengthening our regional presence in the North, while supporting the wider Gallagher branch network with industry-leading customer propositions.”
Also joining the Manchester team is Rachel Smailes, who brings 27 years’ experience to the Account Executive role.
In addition to taking responsibility for managing existing client portfolios, Smailes will support the business development agenda for the North, expanding existing customer relationships and building new ones.
“Attracting and retaining the industry’s best talent is central to our UK strategy as we continue to invest in specialist proposition development and organic growth,” noted Tim Fisher, UK Managing Director of Trade Credit & Surety.
“Rachel is another great addition to our growing team bringing huge experience, market insight and customer service skills as we look to build out our footprint across the North.”
