Gallagher has created the position of head of European carrier management to oversee the insurer’s partnership expansion in the region, with Harald Köberich, who joined through the 2024 acquisition of Germany’s Köberich Financial Lines, taking on the role while leading its European specialist unit.
Köberich has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. He founded Köberich Financial Lines in 2009, specializing in D&O insurance as well as other financial products including cyber insurance, guarantee and indemnity, professional indemnity and crime insurance.
In his expanded role, he will be tasked with overseeing Gallagher’s relationships with insurance companies across Europe, providing clients with the best options and building market-leading relationships with underwriters.
Gallagher explained that in recent years, under the leadership of CEO Alex Nagler, the company has been focused on expanding its presence in Europe.
The company reportedly has on-the-ground professional and retail brokerage operations in seven countries and intends to become the leading broker in the region and establish a presence in all major European markets.
Nagler commented: “Building the right relationships with our insurance partners is critical to delivering an industry-leading service to our clients, and as our client base continues to grow across Europe, it is increasingly important that we have the core leadership in place, working alongside in-country leadership, to play this critical role.
“I have worked closely with Harald Gallagher since he joined him two years ago and I know he will do an excellent job working with insurance companies.”
Köberich said: “The Head of Carrier Management plays a key role in overseeing our work with insurers, and I will focus on building and maintaining strong relationships with our underwriting partners to achieve mutual growth.
“Our business in Europe is increasingly diversified, we have a significant maritime business in Northern Europe and our financial business in continental Europe continues to grow, so ensuring we have the right relationships has never been more important.
“I will work closely with international counterparts to ensure clients take full advantage of local markets and leverage Gallagher’s global scale and scale as required.”
