Insurance claims appointments: Sedgwick, Allianz, MIS, McCarron Coates

Sedgwick appoints head of fraud data, Allianz Insurance names new head of Milton Keynes claims handling centre, McKenzie Intelligence Services recruits head of product, and McCarron Coates strengthens claims handling function function—read about all the latest appointments in the insurance claims sector

Sedgwick has appointed Gordon Young as head of fraud data and insight to strengthen its counter-fraud strategy.

Young’s role will focus on ensuring that Sedgwick’s clients are provided with trend analysis, meaningful insight and will provide a suite of data solutions that allow clients to take action on a month-by-month basis to fine tune their approach to counter fraud.

He has more than 25 years of experience in fraud intelligence, investigation and prevention. Prior to joining Sedgwick, he was the head of counter fraud insight at a multinational general insurance company.

Ian Carman, director of investigation services at Sedgwick, said: “We are excited and looking forward to have Gordon joining us at such a pivotal time. His deep expertise in counter fraud insights will bring incredible value to our fraud services.”

Allianz Insurance has appointed Leanne McGarrity as the new head of Milton Keynes claims handling centre. She replaces Lesley Proctor, who has retired from the business.

McGarrity has been with Allianz for the past 15 years, having started as a motor claims handler.

She has held various roles within claims, including operations leader for motor trade and property supply chain manager within the supply and experts team.

Among other achievements, McGarrity successfully reshaped the Allianz property supply chain, delivering an enhanced strategy and improving customer experience.

In her new role, McGarrity will be responsible for fostering a thriving work environment to help deliver a best-in-class proposition. She will be working with the Allianz claims teams to continue providing a well-performing claims service, while identifying opportunities for improvements.

Graham Stait, head of claims operations, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Leanne to her new role. Her passion for people, continuous development and strategic thinking make her an outstanding leader.”

“I’d also like to thank Lesley for her dedication to the business and wish her all the best with her retirement.”

Geospatial imagery and re/insurance intelligence company McKenzie Intelligence Services (MIS) has recruited Rosina Smith as its head of product.

Smith joins from startup Insurdata, where she was head of client success, and brings with her a wealth of experience from the insurtech sector. Her time with Insurdata saw her responsible for insurance clients, as well as managing Insurdata’s Lloyd’s Lab programme.

Prior to her employment with Insurdata, Smith worked at Allianz, where she delivered a UK-wide geospatial solution, as well as location data strategies with Allianz entities across Europe.

As head of product at MIS, Smith will work closely with the wider product team to deliver continued refinements and expansion of the MIS Intel portal, an agile software tool developed for exposure management and claims, as well as custom service offering for clients.

She will also work closely with the team developing the MIS Global Events Observer (GEO).

Smith said: “I am hugely excited to be joining MIS. Having worked with CUOs in the past, I know how important it is to assess the exposure of an event quickly and accurately. Having this intelligence at your fingertips is vital.”

“The insurtech market in the UK is a vibrant and collaborative network to be a part of. It is made up of a range of skills and backgrounds, and although everyone is building different products and services, we all share the same ambition: to contribute to the industry’s success in this ever-changing environment.”

“The MIS team is ambitious, incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and I am delighted to be working alongside such experts in this field.”

Fleet transport insurance broking specialist McCarron Coates has strengthened its claims handling function with the appointment of manager Steven Stockley and handler Jamie Armitage. 

Stockley brings claims experience earned both in the UK and in other parts of Europe to the team, having worked in insurance claims since he entered the profession with AIG, aged 16.

He will be channelling experience gained at AIG in the UK and as its Europe, Middle East and Africa technical claims manager based in Lithuania. 

Armitage is an experienced claims adjuster with specific experience in motor fleet and property claims.

Working with Armitage, Stockley will use his extensive claims knowledge base to regularly review clients’ claims profiles, providing feedback and management information, and making advanced risk management suggestions.

Stockley said: “This role was perfect for my experience and will enable me to deliver my deep understanding of the complexities of multiple lines of fleet and commercial insurance within a high-flying business. I am a firm advocate of in-house claims handling and its client benefits this brings. In my view, it is the basis of first-rate customer service and added value broking.”

McCarron Coates director Ian McCarron added: “We are already renowned for the claims insight we deliver to our fleet transport clients and Steven and Jamie’s appointments are a signal of our intention to not rest on our laurels but augment this still further.”

Mark Dugdale