Insurer and reinsurer Lancashire Holdings Limited has announced a number of senior management changes at Lancashire Syndicates Limited and Lancashire Insurance Company Limited, as well as additional senior underwriting appointments.
John Spence, CEO of Lancashire Syndicates Limited, and Hayley Johnston, CEO of Lancashire Insurance Company Limited, will both be retiring from their role during the first quarter of 2026.
Spence is to be succeeded by Rachel Sabbarton, who is currently Chief Underwriting Officer, Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) Limited.
Sabbarton joined Lancashire as Group Head of Marine, Energy and Specialty Insurance, and was promoted to Chief Underwriting Officer, Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) Limited in April 2025.
In addition to her new role, Sabbarton will also retain oversight of Marine, Energy and Specialty insurance classes.
Jennifer Wilson, currently Group Financial Planning and Analysis Director, will be succeeding Johnston in Bermuda.
Wilson joined Lancashire in 2010 as a Project Accountant, progressing from Financial Planning and Analysis Manager to Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, and Lancashire Insurance Company Limited Chief Financial Officer in 2014.
In May 2024, she was appointed Group Financial Planning and Analysis Director, a role she will retain.
Other appointments include Matthew Thomas as Chief Underwriting Officer, Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) Limited. He will be succeeding Sabbarton and remaining Active Underwriter and CUO of the Lancashire syndicates.
Colette Murphy has been appointed Deputy CUO for Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) Limited. She will also take on the role of Group Head of Property D&F, replacing Matthew Narbett following his recent promotion to Deputy Group Chief Underwriting Officer.
Lancashire has also appointed Tom Sutton as Deputy Active Underwriter for Syndicate 2010, and David Chalk as Deputy Active Underwriter for Syndicate 3010.
They will both continue in their current roles in the treaty and construction teams respectively, the firm noted.
Additionally, Jon Barnes will take on Hayley Johnston’s responsibilities as Reinsurance Manager as part of his current role as Group Underwriting Director.
Sutton, Chalk and Murphy’s appointments are effective immediately. While Thomas, Sabbarton and Wilson’s appointments will be effective during the first quarter of 2026, and are subject to any relevant regulatory approvals.
Alex Maloney, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: “John and Hayley have had long and distinguished careers at Lancashire and I would like to thank them for their support, wise counsel and friendship. They have both been fantastic ambassadors for Lancashire in their respective markets and have played important roles as senior leaders as the Group has grown over the past few years.
“I am particularly pleased that, once again, we have been able to promote people from within Lancashire to succeed them in these two important management positions. Along with the other appointments we are announcing today, it shows the depth of expertise and talent that we have across the Lancashire Group.”
