Nexus CEO exits after email investigation
Nexus Underwriting CEO Stuart Rouse has stepped away from the business following an internal investigation into an “offensive” all-staff email, with Steve Hearn replacing him on an interim basis.
In an internal staff announcement issued today (5 September), Nexus confirmed Rouse has “decided that it is in the best interests of the business for him to move on”.
Rouse resigned with immediate effect, according to the email.
“You will be aware that in July we launched an investigation following the use of inappropriate language in an internal email,” it stated. “That investigation is now concluded.
“We want to thank Stuart for his contribution to the business over many years and wish him well.
We want to thank Stuart for his contribution to the business over many years and wish him well.
“We will continue to build our business based on values which embrace ambition, excellence and collaboration, and we reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive workplace in which every individual is respected.”
Post was first to reveal that Nexus had launched the internal review in July, after Rouse sent an all-staff email in which he recalled an individual’s “ability to include the words ‘hairy’ and ‘growler’” in conversation.
Also in the email, the CEO set out that the individual’s use of the terms often resulted in an “infectious laugh for all to hear”.
The content of the email was branded “offensive” by a Nexus spokesperson.
Rouse was appointed CEO of Nexus in 2024. He joined the business in 2014, as COO and CFO.
Brown & Brown this week announced that Hearn would lead all the group’s operations outside of North America across both retail and specialty. His remit is understood to include Nexus on an interim basis.
Hearn took on the COO role at Brown & Brown in February, having previously sat on the company’s board of directors since August 2024.
The industry veteran has had a 35-year insurance career. Prior to joining Brown & Brown, he most recently served a CEO of Ardonagh Specialty Holdings, Ardonagh Capital Solutions Holdings and Inver Re.
Hearn was CEO of BGC Partners subsidiary Corant Global from February 2019 until its November 2021 sale to The Ardonagh Group. Prior to this, he was CEO of Ed Broking, which BGC purchased in February 2019.
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