Global insurance and reinsurance broking group Gallagher has announced significant leadership changes across its UK and Ireland retail office network.
Michael McLaverty was appointed head of the firm’s Belfast office on 1 January 2026. He succeeds Shane Matthews, who will take on the role of Account Director, focusing on supporting key accounts in Northern Ireland.
In his new role, McLafferty will oversee Gallagher’s 50 colleagues in Belfast who provide support to businesses across Northern Ireland with their risk management and insurance needs across a range of industries. He will report to Mark Kerry, regional managing director for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
McLaverty has more than 25 years of industry experience and joined Gallagher in 2022 as Account Director. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at WTW and began his career at Marsh as an account manager.
Kerry commented: “Michael has been instrumental in our success in delivering continued client growth and helping the Belfast team achieve record new business sales this year. He will be an excellent leader of our Northern Ireland business. Having the right talent to lead our risk professionals in the region is central to our continued success and I am confident that, with Michael at the helm, we have an excellent springboard for continued growth into 2026 and beyond.”
Additionally, Gallagher has expanded Mark Holmes’ responsibilities to become managing director of the Bristol office, adding to his existing responsibilities as managing director of the Swindon and Gloucester offices.
Holmes takes over this expanded role following the retirement of Andrew Ferguson, who joined the firm in 2014 and had led Gallagher’s Bristol office for the past nine years.
In his new role, Holmes will report to Cheryl Philips, regional managing director, Southwest.
Heath Lambert has been managing director of the Swindon branch since joining Gallagher in 2011 through the acquisition. In January 2020, he also assumed the role of Chief of Staff for the Gloucester team.
Gallagher noted that its Bristol office is one of the largest in the region, with more than 100 professionals providing risk management, insurance and advisory services to clients. Following the completion of the acquisition of AssuredPartners in August 2025, the Southwest region has seen significant growth with the addition of 12 new office locations and more than 150 new team members.
Gallagher’s more than 60 offices across the UK and Ireland network specialize in serving the insurance and risk management needs of mid-market organizations and operate within local communities, ensuring they understand the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the region.
Philips said: “Mark Holmes and I have worked together for many years and I know he is an excellent operator who will be able to support colleagues and customers and ensure the smooth running of this core part of our regional business. Appointing this important leadership from within demonstrates our commitment to professional development and the talent of Gallagher.”
Gary Fletcher, Andrew Ferguson’s long-term colleague and Gallagher commercial managing director, commented on Ferguson’s retirement: “Andy and I worked together for 30 years, we joined John Eke and Partners in the mid-90s and the firm became part of Oval in 2008, and in 2014 Joining Gallagher in 2016, I would like to thank him for all the good years and say goodbye to him as he has been a fantastic colleague to work with and we wish him all the best in his retirement. “