Canopius Group, a leading global specialty (re)insurer, today announced the appointment of Gavin Phillips as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Gavin will assume his new role in January 2022. This follows the decision by the incumbent CFO Nigel Meyer to step back from his role in March 2022 to concentrate on establishing a portfolio of non-executive appointments.
Gavin brings extensive experience in financial leadership and insurance expertise, having worked in the UK and US. Starting as a graduate in Lloyd’s, he joined PwC in 1993 and spent almost three decades working with some of their largest global and domestic insurance clients. Gavin held a number of senior roles, most recently as PwC’s Regional Financial Services Leader.
Prior to this, Gavin led the insurance and asset management assurance practice, before which he was Head of the Lloyd’s and London Market practice. He also oversaw significant developments at Prudential plc’s UK life insurance business, while on secondment from PwC as its CFO between 2017 -2019.
Neil Robertson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Canopius, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome someone of Gavin’s calibre to Canopius. Gavin stood out amongst a strong pool of candidates because he exhibited such a fervent passion and enthusiasm for Canopius’ vision and strategic direction. Gavin is a proven leader of finance functions, but he is also a natural culture carrier and someone who will undoubtedly have a broad and significant influence across all areas of our company.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to Nigel for his many outstanding contributions, which since joining as CFO in 2018 have been instrumental in the group’s development. On behalf of all at Canopius, I wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.