Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford (CGSC) has announced the appointment of Shaun Hooper as President and CEO of its wholesale, reinsurance broking and underwriting operations in North America.
Hooper joined CGSC in July 2009 as Head of Group Operations and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cooper Gay, CGSC’s Lloyd’s and London market broker, in early 2011. In April 2012, he assumed a wider role within CGSC and led the commercial development of its global operations. Hooper replaces Neal Abernathy who has left the business to pursue other opportunities.
In his new role, Hooper will have overall responsibility for CGSC’s prominent US brands, Swett & Crawford and Cooper Gay Re, as well as its underwriting businesses, including J H Blades & Co, Creechurch International Underwriters, Energy Technical Underwriters, Loxley and Managed Care.
CGSC’s US wholesale broker Swett & Crawford has implemented further management changes to support its growth strategy. Mike Brennan, previously a Corporate Sales Director/Division Leader, has been promoted to a new role of CEO of Wholesale and will take responsibility for all aspects of the wholesale business in the US. Michael Ruhe, also previously a Corporate Sales Director/Division Leader, has been appointed President of Sales, with responsibility for developing and growing the revenues and wider sales capabilities of CGSC’s US businesses. Both will report to Hooper.
Toby Esser, CGSC Group Chief Executive Officer said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neal for his professionalism and dedication when building Swett & Crawford into the leading wholesale business it is today. Under Shaun’s leadership, and with the guidance of his strong management team, we intend to build on these solid foundations and drive forward our growth plans for CGSC’s US wholesale, reinsurance broking and MGA operations.”
