Hampden Group announces the retirement of Neil Smith as CEO of Hampden Agencies. After 14 years of successfully steering the largest Members’ Agency at Lloyd’s, Smith will retire from his role at the end of January 2023. Under his leadership the business has more than doubled its capacity under advice and provided clients with a consistently outperforming-Lloyd’s underwriting return.
The CEO role will (subject to regulatory approval) be taken up by Alistair Wood, currently a director of Hampden Agencies and head of research. Wood has, for a number of years, successfully led Hampden’s highly respected and skilled Lloyd’s syndicate research team. The Hampden research capability is an important part of Hampden’s overall delivery of market-outperforming advice to clients and his knowledge and experience are suited for this new challenge.
The chair of Hampden Agencies, Sarah Wilton, said: ”Neil’s contribution both to the Hampden Agencies business and to private capital in the Lloyd’s market has been hugely important and we wish him well in his retirement. Alistair represents the next generation of leadership and I wholeheartedly endorse this appointment.”
Lord Strathclyde, Hampden Agencies chairman designate, added: ”I have always been impressed with Neil’s dedication and eye for detail in his management of Hampden Agencies. I am equally delighted that someone with the depth of knowledge and thought that Alistair possesses will be taking on the CEO role.”
Lord Strathclyde will (subject to regulatory approval) take on the chairman role of Hampden Agencies at the end of 2022.