The Ardonagh Group has announced the promotions of Ian Donaldson to the new position of CEO, Ardonagh Retail and of Emma Rawlinson as Atlanta Group CEO (both appointments subject to regulatory approval).
Emma has been Atlanta Group CFO for two years where she played an integral role in the turnaround and digital transformation of Swinton. She was previously CFO and business strategy and performance director at Swinton. Emma brings a wealth of retail and M&A experience to Atlanta. Prior to joining the broking sector she held senior positions including UK CEO of the technology firm In Touch Networks, CFO of regional private equity investor NorthEdge Capital and spent seven years with Deloitte.
She currently holds responsibility for finance, operations, customer, marketing, people and is the executive sponsor of the Atlanta OurFamily community forum. As CEO she will lead a 40% female executive team.
Atlanta is a leading digital personal lines broking group. Its trading brands include Swinton, Carole Nash, Autonet, Lloyd Latchford, Marmalade, Healthy Pets, Be Wiser and Paymentshield. It has grown rapidly and today employs 2,400 colleagues across 12 sites in the UK and Ireland and handles c. £1billion GWP on behalf of 3 million customers.
Atlanta’s leader Emma will report to Ian Donaldson as CEO of Ardonagh Retail.
In addition to providing oversight and guidance of Atlanta, Ian will lead on cross-group retail initiatives including personal lines data initiatives and the Atlanta Hub, as Ardonagh continues its global expansion.
Ian Donaldson, Ardonagh Retail CEO commented: “Emma’s commitment to customers, colleagues and communities combined with her focussed determination makes her the right person to lead Atlanta across the delivery of its three strategic objectives – organic growth, operational and M&A excellence.
“She leads a phenomenal team of individuals and a business which has emerged even stronger from the way we have had to pull together to support each other and our customers over the last 18 months. I could not be prouder to see her stepping into the CEO role.
“There is a world of opportunity within Ardonagh and I’m delighted to be leading the continued evolution and expansion of the Group’s retail business.”
Emma Rawlinson, Atlanta CEO, said: “It is a privilege to become the leader of Atlanta. The strength of its brands, relationships, expertise, involvement in local communities and strong culture makes it an incredible business with a bright future. Our customers’ lives, needs, and digital expectations have changed over the last 18 months and we have an abundance of opportunity to grow with today’s customers at the heart of our strategy.”
Ardonagh Group CEO David Ross commented: “Emma and Ian are exceptional leaders. With Emma at the helm of UK retail distribution and Ian leading the charge on connecting and deploying capabilities around the world our Retail platform is in strong shape.”