'Chily' Chilton to be UK boss at insurance giant Arthur J Gallagher

The insurance broking giant Arthur J Gallagher has appointed industry veteran Grahame “Chily” Chilton as its new UK chief executive.

The acquisitive US company, which bought Health Lambert and Giles Insurance, said the former Benfield Group chairman will join once he gets regulatory approval. Mr Chilton banked £77m from the £935m sale of Benfield to Aon in 2008 and is one of the best known names in the London insurance market.

“Chily has an outstanding reputation and proven track record as a successful industry leader who understands how to balance the entrepreneurial culture that our business is built on, with the successful running of a large scale organization,” Patrick Gallagher Jr, the chief executive of Arthur J Gallagher said.

Mr Chilton has been running a reinsurance joint venture with Arthur J Gallagher, Capsicum Re, offering specialist, bespoke services.

Mr. Chilton said: “Arthur J. Gallagher is a great business with great people and I am looking forward to working with the team and getting to know our customers over the coming weeks.

"Being asked to take on this new role, in addition to my existing position within Capsicum Re, demonstrates the strength of the partnership we have built over the past 14 months, and I am excited to be part of the next chapter in the company’s international growth story.”