Aon leads casualty bench strength but Marsh’s Brian Stuart takes top individual ranking

Aon has retained its position as the bench strength leader for casualty in this year’s London’s Leading Brokers Report, while also leading the cyber class, The Insurer can reveal.

The nomination-based survey for London brokers was conducted by Insurindex, a joint venture between insurance research consultancy Gracechurch and Brandex.

Last year’s runner-up Marsh also retained its position in the casualty bench strength ratings, while Howden and BMS entered the rankings this year at third and fourth respectively. BMS placed joint fourth with WTW.

In the individual casualty broker rankings, Marsh managing director Brian Stuart rose four places from the 2022 survey to clinch the top spot.

Also reappearing from last year’s shortlist was Alexander Wilson, who remained in second place in the individual rankings.

Wilson joined Ardonagh Specialty in July of this year as managing director, international casualty and programs. His appearance in the 2022 ranking was under his prior role as broking team leader, international casualty division at Marsh.

The top three individual casualty brokers were rounded off with Claire Cornish, who serves as deputy head of international casualty at Aon.

This year’s shortlist also featured Duncan Hayward, director and head of casualty at BMS. Having joined in May 2019, he previously spent eight years at Price Forbes, latterly as head of casualty – power, utility, mining and construction.

Completing the top five was Aon’s George Bachell, who has served as international casualty broker at the firm since January 2021.

Aon also took the leading bench strength position for cyber, with Lockton, Marsh and Gallagher “close behind” respectively.

Paragon and WTW maintained their tied position, while Bishopsgate entered the cyber bench strength ranking for the first time, placing alongside Howden.

“The top individual brokers are all from different houses, underlining the breadth of quality across the market,” said the report.

The ranking was led by Carlo Ramadoro, senior vice president at Lockton. Ramadoro – who placed fifth in the survey’s overall individual London broker ranking – works in Lockton’s global professional and financial risks division.

Representing the bench strength leader, the 2023 cyber runner-up was Beverley Alderson, who serves as director in Aon’s London cyber team.

Ranked third was David Rees, executive director at Howden. Rees came under the Howden brand in October 2020, having served as executive director at RKH Specialty prior to the merger.

Jack Lyons, senior vice president in Paragon’s cyber, technology and media practice, placed fourth. Lyons joined Paragon in April this year, having previously served as broking leader and senior vice president in Marsh’s finpro cyber, media and technology practice.

The top five individual cyber brokers were rounded off by Joe Stubbings, who has served as associate director in Gallagher’s cyber and technology practice since May 2022.

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