Broker Consilium appoints co-CEO

(Re)insurance broker Consilium has appointed Paul Richards to lead the business as co-CEO alongside James Baird, who was appointed CEO in November. Consilium, part of Aventum Group, said the pair have been colleagues for 22 years.

Richards was recently executive director and a member of Ed’s executive committee for nearly three years. Before that he was managing director of Ed Broking’s professional and executive risks division. Prior to that he spent nearly 11 years as the financial lines leader and executive director at Willis Towers Watson and 13 years as a partner at JLT both in the UK and Australia.

Baird said: “Paul and I have worked together for many years and we’re delighted that he has taken up this role. We’re a proven partnership many times over and together we make a compelling and capable leadership team. Quietly building its presence as a top 50 broker, 2023 will be a transformational year for Consilium as we strive to be one of the best and most inspirational specialty wholesale (re)insurance broking businesses. We will continue to invest in people and systems; independent, nimble and unencumbered by legacy IT or investors’ demands, we are firmly in control of our own destiny. We will continue to attract the best people, broaden our offerings and global footprint and stay focused on client service.”

Consilium said this is the latest in a series of senior hires in the space of a few months, including a COO and head of claims.

Richards added: “I’m hugely excited to have the opportunity to help shape and drive this business forward and be a part of the journey it has embarked on. This host of recent senior appointments is a clear signal of intent to the market. We’ve undeniably got a long and challenging journey ahead to reach our destination, but I absolutely know that Consilium is destined for great things. It has the culture, the people, the drive, the investment, the expertise and the opportunity to succeed and, perhaps most importantly, it is passionate and cares about getting results for clients – something that clients everywhere will be keenly aware of following the challenging 1:1 reinsurance renewals. Under my and James’s leadership, supported by the rest of the group management team and staff, it will be an exciting and rewarding journey ahead.”