By Ryan Hewlett

March 21 - (The Insurer) - Goldman Sachs-backed broker consolidator Clear Group has appointed Swiss Re’s Simon Smith as group chief operating officer.

Smith has more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles at major insurance businesses.

He previously spent 10 years with Willis Towers Watson and most recently four years with Swiss Re.

As group COO, Smith will be responsible for operations, IT and data, integrations, claims, and facilities and procurement.

He takes over the role following the appointment of Phil Williams as group chief commercial officer and retail managing director of Clear Insurance Management Ltd in November 2024.

Clear Group CEO Mike Edgeley said the appointment of Smith will be “pivotal” in helping the broker consolidator achieve its growth ambitions in the UK and throughout Europe.

“His international expertise in business change and transformation make him a key addition to our executive team as we continue to build out our model across the UK and Continental Europe,” said Edgeley

Clear Group has been on an expansion drive since Goldman Sachs Asset Management acquired a majority stake in the company in June 2022. As part of the deal, ECI Partners exited the business following a four-year partnership.

The firm has completed more than 19 acquisitions since the Goldman Sachs buy-in, including four MGAs.