Insurance broking, risk management and advisory firm Gallagher has appointed Adam Stafford as chief operating officer (COO) of its specialist division, expanding its London market operational expertise.
The appointment is effective from September 2026. In his new role, Stafford will report to Gallagher Specialty CEO Sarah Lyons and will be part of the broker’s operational leadership team, led by Charles Crawford, chief operating officer for the UK and EMEA regions.
As the business continues to expand, he will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations, with a focus on technology, digital innovation and strategic development.
Stafford has over 25 years of industry experience, having served as BMS UK and International Chief Operating Officer for the past ten years. His experience spans brokerage, underwriting platforms, market infrastructure, transformation, operational scaling and building infrastructure for high-growth businesses.
In the past, he worked at Lloyd’s of London, where he drove market reforms, spearheaded technology initiatives and led operational change. He started his career with agent Aon.
Commenting on the appointment, Lyons said: “Adam is the ideal person to take the helm of our specialist business. His in-depth understanding of the operating mechanics of businesses such as ours and the London market, coupled with his expertise in global operations, technology and creating the right environment for growth, will be invaluable as we continue to expand and grow.”
