Operations Director, London Market Provider

Our client is a key market provider playing a crucial role in transforming the Lloyd’s market and supporting its growth and innovation. The organisation required a leader capable of influencing stakeholders, driving market adoption, and spearheading transformation initiatives across the industry. The ability to balance operational efficiency with market credibility was critical for success.

There were three major challenges. Firstly, the fact that the client’s in-house talent team had already attempted a search meant we faced a reduced pool of new candidates. We also needed to craft a new narrative to re-engage existing candidates.

Secondly, the role required predominantly soft skills, which meant a suitable candidate could come from a broad range of backgrounds. This presented a challenge in developing a longlist. Finally, we understood the importance of the appointment to the business, which required both an exceptional leader and an individual known to the market.

• During the research period, we built full market maps of each candidate pool and conducted 360-degree referencing on all potential candidates.
• We presented market insights on the skillsets necessary for success and refined the client’s search to align with market expectations, establishing a clear and strategic direction.
• We conducted exhaustive research, assessing 374 candidates across two iterations from operations and transformation backgrounds. From this, we developed a longlist of 26 candidates.
• We engaged with candidates discreetly and efficiently, ensuring that company messaging was both clear and concise.

Damhurst targeted candidates including COOs, CIOs, operations directors and transformation directors within specialty insurance, company markets, broking houses, specialist MGAs and market providers. 20% of the longlist came from a non-Lloyd’s or vendor experience, which provided diversity in experience.

We held in-depth meetings with 16 candidates, 13 of whom were passive candidates. We clearly communicated the client’s vision and investment, eliciting keen interest from all parties.

Damhurst successfully identified and secured a high-potential transformation leader with a strong track record in greenfield market transformations. The appointment reinforced the client’s market initiatives and instilled confidence among both internal teams and external stakeholders. The individual’s influence is already contributing to enhanced operational efficiencies and improved market engagement.