BMS appoints new COO

BMS has appointed Chris Brook as chief operating officer (COO) of BMS Group. He is anticipated to join in 2024, following the completion of his contractual obligations.

Brook, who will report directly to Nick Cook, chief executive of BMS Group, joins with what BMS described as vast experience and an impressive career history across both insurance and reinsurance.

“Most recently global COO of Gallagher Re, and before that global COO of Willis Re, he has an extensive track record of contributing to strategic growth plans, overseeing the operations of a global business, and has played a significant leading role in global M&A activities and integration,” said BMS. “Notably, Brook played a critical role in holding Willis Re together during significant disruption over a 20-month period while continuing to deliver strong net growth alongside James Kent, former CEO of Willis Re and Gallagher Re.”

BMS stated that it is looking to build on the momentum gathered following its successful refinancing at the end of 2022 which brought its valuation to £1.75bn and capped off a period of successive investment and increases in valuation. With Brook’s expertise in executing global M&A strategies and integration, whilst also overseeing business operations to underpin a global business, his appointment further marks BMS’s commitment to the acceleration of its organic, operational, and M&A growth supporting the goal to reach $1 billion in revenue.

Brook will join the group executive committee and work directly alongside Cook across all three of BMS’s core pillars - Specialty, Reinsurance & International - to execute BMS’s plan to become the leading specialty insurance and reinsurance broker, globally. Brook’s role will also support BMS’s ambition of further enhancing its data and technology capabilities in a strategic move that empowers our clients to thrive in the dynamic and data-driven business landscape.

Adam Stafford, formerly group COO, will take a new role as group strategy and operations officer for BMS’s UK and international specialty businesses, reporting to Ian Gormley and Nick Gillett.

Cook said: “BMS’s plans for growth have never been more ambitious. In continuing our global expansion plan Chris’s sterling reputation, strategic expertise and deep relationships within the market will be indispensable. He will work alongside me as we further strengthen our hand through a strategy focused on M&A, organic and operational growth across both reinsurance and specialty. Chris is a dependable and resourceful leader and his focus on colleagues and clients embodies exactly the character that BMS needs as we scale. I am delighted to welcome him and cannot overstate the impact I see him having in helping steer BMS as COO in the years to come.”