07DEC

Giles lures McManus for lead role as Group enhances management

The Giles Group has today announced the appointment, subject to Financial Services Authority approval, of Brendan McManus as its new Chief Executive, to be effective from April 2012.

At the same time, The Giles Group founder Chris Giles will step up to the role of Executive Chairman of the Group, with a focus on its developing offshore and international business.

McManus' brief will be to drive development of the Group's broking and underwriting business in the UK. His previous roles have included being Managing Director of RSA Commercial and, most recently, CEO of Willis LtdThe hire is reflective of Giles’ continued efforts to build a senior management team with the quality and experience to achieve the Group’s long-term objectives.

In 2011, Giles has furthered the pursuit of its growth strategy, most recently with one of its largest acquisitions to date in the form of North West broker CBG, expanding its presence in a key geographical area.

Chris Giles said:

'I'm delighted that Brendan will be joining the Group and I'm looking forward to working with him in what will be a new chapter of the Group's development. His pedigree and breadth in the sector will be real assets for us.

'Both I and our investment partners believe that his experience, drawn from both sides of our industry, will be invaluable to the Group. I'll continue to focus on acquisitions and the offshore business as well as Chairing the Group while Brendan will run the broking and underwriting business.'

Brendan McManus said:

'I'm really excited to be coming to Giles. Everyone in the insurance industry recognises that Chris has done an amazing job in building the business to where it is today. The fact that he still has massive ambitions for it meant I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be part of the story.'