Gallagher today announced changes to the regional leadership team of its UK & Ireland Retail office network.
Michael McLaverty became Head of Office of the firm's Belfast office on 1 January this year. Michael joined Gallagher in 2022 as an Account Director bringing over 25 years insurance experience to the business having started his career at Marsh, before spending 15 years at Willis Towers Watson. In the last three years he has delivered consistent client growth, and he takes on the role from Shane Matthews who is moving into an Account Director role, focused on supporting major clients in Northern Ireland.
Michael will oversee Gallagher's 50 colleagues based in Belfast who support businesses across many different industries in Northern Ireland with their risk management and insurance needs. Michael will report to Mark Kerry, Regional Managing Director, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In addition, Gallagher has expanded Mark Holmes' role to become Managing Director of the Bristol office, alongside his existing role as Managing Director of the Swindon and Gloucester offices. Gallagher's Bristol office is one of the largest in the region with over 100 professionals based in the city offering risk management, insurance and consulting services to clients. The South west region has seen a significant uplift in office and colleague numbers in recent months increasing by 12 locations and over 150 new team members following the AssuredPartners acquisition which the firm finalised in the summer. Mark will report to Cheryl Philips, Regional Managing Director, South west.
Mark has been with Gallagher since 2011 having joined through the acquisition of Heath Lambert. Mark is taking on this expanded remit following the retirement of Andrew Ferguson, who has led Gallagher's Bristol office for the last nine years, having joined the business in 2014.
The 60+ offices in Gallagher's UK & Ireland network specialise in the insurance and risk management needs of mid-market organisations and operate within the local communities where they are based, ensuring they know and understand the challenges and opportunities for businesses in the region.
Commenting on the appointment of Michael, Mark Kerry said: "Michael has played an important part of our success delivering consistent client growth and helping the Belfast team achieve record breaking new business sales this year. He will be a fantastic leader for our Northern Ireland operations and having the right people leading our risk professionals in the regions is core to our continued success and I am confident that with Michael at the helm of the business we have a fantastic springboard for continued growth in 2026 and beyond."
Focusing on Mark's new role. Cheryl Philips added: "Mark Holmes and I have worked alongside each other for a number of years and I know he is a brilliant operator, able to support colleagues and clients alike and ensure the smooth running of this core part of our regional presence. Making this key leadership appointment from within shows our commitment to career development and the talent we have in Gallagher.
Long -term colleague of Andy's and Managing Director of Commercial at Gallagher, Gary Fletcher commented on his retirement: "Andy and I have worked together for 30 years having joined John Eke and Partners in the mid 90s, which become part of Oval in 2008, and Gallagher in 2014 and I would like to thank him for all the good times over the years and say a very fond farewell as he has been a brilliant colleague to work with, and we wish him all the very best in his retirement."