Hiscox announces new UK CEO

Bob Thaker to relocate back to London in March 2019 from DirectAsia, part of the Hiscox Group

London (17 December 2018) – Hiscox, the specialist global insurer, announces the appointment of Bob Thaker as its new UK Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2019, subject to regulatory approval.

Bob has worked at Hiscox since 2010 and held a number of senior roles during that time, having joined as Head of Strategy before going on to serve as Group Chief Risk Officer. He is already very familiar with the UK business, having spent two years as Head of Claims for Hiscox UK and Europe, where he served on the UK leadership team. In 2014 he relocated to Asia to become Chief Operating Officer of DirectAsia, a newly-acquired direct-to-consumer personal lines insurance business, and became CEO of the DirectAsia Group in January 2015.

Bob succeeds Steve Langan, who moved to the USA in 2018 as Hiscox USA CEO and remains the Hiscox Group’s Chief Marketing Officer. Bob will report to Ben Walter, CEO of Hiscox Global Retail, who is responsible for Hiscox USA, Hiscox UK, Hiscox Europe and Hiscox Special Risks.

In his new role, Bob will lead the 800-strong UK team and will be based out of Birmingham.

Commenting on the appointment, Ben said: “Bob is a natural champion of the customer who will lead the UK team in its next phase of growth. We will benefit from Bob’s experience navigating intensely competitive markets and developing creative partnership opportunities.”

Bob added: “I’m delighted to be returning to Hiscox UK and honoured to lead a great team which has consistently served customers superbly and created a strong market position over many years. I know from my time with the business a few years ago that we are fortunate to enjoy fabulous support from our broker partners for which we remain incredibly grateful. I look forward to working with the team and these terrific partners to build on these great foundations in the years ahead.”

Ends

For further information please contact:

Hiscox Ltd

Notes to editors

About The Hiscox Group

Hiscox is a global specialist insurer, headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). Our ambition is to be a respected specialist insurer with a diverse portfolio by product and geography. We believe that building balance between catastrophe-exposed business and less volatile local specialty business gives us opportunities for profitable growth throughout the insurance cycle. 

The Hiscox Group employs over 2,700 people in 14 countries, and has customers worldwide. Through the retail businesses in the UK, Europe, Asia and the US, we offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers as well as homeowners. Internationally traded, bigger ticket business and reinsurance is underwritten through Hiscox London Market and Hiscox Re & ILS.

Our values define our business, with a focus on people, quality, courage and excellence in execution. We pride ourselves on being true to our word and our award-winning claims service is testament to that. For more information, visit www.hiscoxgroup.com.