Recruitment moves

Broker BMS has announced that Alexander Johnston will become non-executive chairman of the group on 1 January 2007, following the retirement of Graham McKean, one of the original founders.

"Graham has been an integral part of BMS and its success for 26 years," said John Spencer, chief executive of BMS. "We are very grateful for his commitment and unique contribution to the business, and we wish him a long and enjoyable retirement.

"Alexander is already a non-executive director of BMS and we are delighted to welcome him as chairman. With his many years at Lazard, where he was a managing director, he brings a wealth of experience and an invaluable external perspective to our organisation."

Benfield has appointed Mr Robert Bredahl and Mr Frank Wilkinson to its board of directors.

Mr Bredahl will join the board as an executive director. He is currently the head of Benfield Advisory and president of Benfield Inc.

Mr Wilkinson will join the board as a non-executive director. He was previously employed by EW Blanch Holdings, Inc from 1969 until 2000, serving at board level.

Aon Re Global has promoted Robert Johnston as president of Aon Re Bermuda, pending Bermudian government approval. Robert will lead Aon Re's expanding team in the Bermuda marketplace's vibrant and exciting future.

The firm also appointed Paul Markey as managing director, global market relationships, again pending Bermudian government approval.

In this role, Mr Markey will serve as focal point for the co-ordination of Aon Re Global's overall relationships with reinsurers around the world, providing placement support and guidance to Aon Re Global brokers and other specialists. Mr Markey continues as chairman of Aon (Bermuda) Ltd.

Willis Re has announced that it has named Paddy Jago as chief executive of Willis Re in the US.

Mr Jago, previously the president of the unit, succeeds Peter Hearn, who was promoted to global chief executive of Willis Re in June 2006. John Ehinger will assume the role of president for Willis Re in the US in addition to his current responsibilities as chief operating officer.

Mr Jago joined Willis Re in the US in July 2005 as president, with his primary focus on driving the production efforts. Previously, Mr Jago was chief executive of North American Re for AON Re, overseeing the property, casualty, and accident and health departments.

ejsSearch, the insurance and reinsurance executive search firm, formerly known as ejsPartners, today announces the appointment of Roger Sellek as executive director, board practice.

Mr Sellek joined the insurance industry in 1993 after an early career mostly within academia.

In 1995 Mr Sellek became closely involved with the work being undertaken at Lloyd's to establish Equitas, and was responsible for setting reserves for all non-long-tail liabilities.

Between 1997 and 2000, he was managing director of the market-risk unit, and from 2000 he was Lloyd's commercial director.

Beazley has expanded its global specialty-lines claims team with the addition of four legal claims specialists to the company's newly opened New York office.

Prior to joining Beazley, Peter Liaskos was a litigation partner in the New York office of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw; Melissa LaRocca and Beth Diamond were senior associates at Chadbourne & Parke, and Steven Chang was a senior associate at Martin, Clearwater & Bell.

Gallagher Re has made three major appointments: Peter Heinrichs as vice-president and marketing actuary; Geraldine Del Prete as senior executive vice-president; and Steven Fallon as chief actuary for its US operations.

Mr Heinrichs, who will be based in Bloomington, Minnesota, is a group life, disability and critical illness expert, with 16 years' (re)insurance experience.

Ms Del Prete will lead the firm's US-based property and casualty treaty capabilities, and will also join its global management group.

Mr Fallon will lead the US analytics team, focusing on the continued development and co-ordination of the firm's analytical resources across all lines.

Lloyd's broker CJ Coleman has announced that Ben Coleman has joined from Arthur J Gallagher.

Ben's expertise is global property, and the move represents the board's plans to diversify its business into other lines outside of its core expertise of professional liabilities.

XL Insurance has announced the appointment of Diana Gladwell as Gulf regional underwriting manager for its marine and offshore energy unit. Ms Gladwell will be based in Houston, Texas and will be responsible for servicing XL Insurance's marine and offshore energy clients within the Gulf coast.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has appointed Ian Dilks as the new global head of its insurance group.

Ian has been a partner at the company since 1986 and will take up his new role with immediate effect.

Based in London, Ian will lead PricewaterhouseCoopers' assurance, advisory and tax services for the global insurance industry.