Santam Syndicate 1918, the Lloyd’s division of Santam Group, Africa’s largest non-life insurance company, has appointed Gavin Coley as head of claims.
Coley will be based in London and will report directly to Santam Syndicate 1918 Chief Financial Officer Rob Vetch.
This appointment brings more than thirty years of insurance and reinsurance experience to Santam Syndicate 1918. Over the course of his career, Coley has held a number of senior claims roles within Lloyd’s and the wider insurance market, developing expertise in claims management, technical oversight and operational leadership.
Prior to joining Santam Syndicate 1918, Coley served as head of Everest First Party Claims. In this role, he oversees claims operations, provides technical guidance and leads strategic projects, while also managing portfolio performance and significant loss reporting. Earlier appointments include senior claims roles at Liberty Specialty Markets, Neon and MS Amlin, where he was responsible for a broad claims portfolio across different business categories.
Santam Syndicate 1918 highlighted Coley’s long-standing involvement in industry initiatives and market committees. During his career he has contributed to organizations and working groups including the Lloyd’s Strategic Claims Committee, the Binder Authority Strategic Claims Group and the LMA/IUA Energy Group.
He also served as Chairman of the LMA Property & Casualty Insurance Group and became the first Chairman of the LMA War and Terrorism Claims Group, demonstrating his commitment to supporting the development of claims standards and practice within the market.
Santam Syndicate 1918 said the appointment was part of the firm’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership capabilities as it continues to expand its presence in the Lloyd’s market. The move also supports the broader objectives of Santam Group’s FutureFit 2030 strategy, which focuses on international growth and diversification.
As Head of Claims, Coley will be responsible for leading Santam Syndicate 1918’s claims function, helping to support underwriting results while ensuring high standards of service to brokers and clients.
Vetch commented: “Gavin brings a wealth of technical expertise, leadership experience and market credibility to Syndicate. His track record of managing complex claims portfolios, driving operational excellence and building high-performing teams make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. We are delighted to welcome him to Santam Syndicate 1918 and look forward to his contribution as we continue to expand our presence at Lloyd’s.”
Coley added: “I’m delighted to be joining Santam Syndicate 1918 at such an exciting stage in its development. With the support of the entire Santam Group, Syndicate has built a strong foundation and clear ambitions for growth. I look forward to working with the team to further develop the claims function, deliver an outstanding service to brokers and clients and support Syndicate’s next phase of growth.”
