Former PartnerRe CEO to chair BMS Group

BMS Group has appointed former PartnerRe chief executive officer as chairman of the Specialty re/insurance broker.

BMS also announced the completion of an investment by French private equity firm Eurazeo’s investment in the group.

Clarke became chairman yesterday, taking over from John Hastings-Bass, who will remain chairman of BMS’s UK and international operations. Formerly president and CEO of PartnerRe, Clarke has had a long and successful career in the insurance industry.

Having held several board positions during his career he joins with a proven record of successfully leading and growing the asset value of global and culturally diverse teams by strengthening performance and innovation cultures, BMS said.

BMS Group CEO Nick Cook said: “I also welcome Emmanuel to BMS. His successful build out of PartnerRe’s global reinsurance business during his 25-year tenure alongside his experience with progressive, data, digital and technology driven financial models will immediately contribute to BMS.

“Similarly, I am delighted that John has agreed to stay with BMS. Under his chairmanship we have seen astonishing growth and I, along with all of BMS, thank him for his indispensable role in our success.”

BMA said Eurazeo’s investment will be used to further accelerate growth across its trading divisions; enhancing its digital, analytics and modelling capabilities, and further reinforcing its ability to deliver client solutions.

BMS is set to close out another strong year of growth with forecast revenues of £300m and growth of 30% across its three pillars of Specialty, Reinsurance, and International. It now has 1,200 employees.