Asta unveils senior leadership promotions
Davies-owned Asta has announced a series of promotions, that it says aims to expand the capability and bandwidth of the executive and wider senior leadership team.
The appointments reflect Asta’s continued growth and commitment to fostering strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, enhancing the value delivered to Asta-managed businesses and further strengthening the client partnership model.
Asta chief executive Lorraine Harfitt, said: “We are delighted to recognise the talent we have at Asta and to be able to support the career development of our team. These appointments will not only support succession planning but also ensure sufficient leadership attention and time is given to not only maintaining but continuing to build upon the great business we have. I wish them all the best in their new positions and look forward to working with them closely.”
David Hopkins has been promoted to chief underwriting officer. Joining Asta in 2024, Hopkins previous positions included roles at Westfield Specialty, Argo Group, Axis Capital and Antares Managing Agency.
The changes also see Clare Barley taking on the role of managing director. Barley has spent 11 years at Asta, previously holding the position of chief operating officer (COO). Barley started her career in actuarial consultancy, with roles at Mercer and Lane Clark & Peacock. In this new role, Barley will be providing greater direct support to the CEO in managing the daily operations of Asta. This will include managing key stakeholder relationships and helping to shape, communicate and execute strategic priorities. Barley will retain her responsibility for culture & HR.
Leslie Edmonds has been promoted to chief operating officer (COO) and will assume responsibility from Barley for Asta’s operations and IT functions. Edmonds also became part of the executive team, an AMA Board member and Asta’s SMF24 (subject to regulatory approval). Having previously spent five years at Asta as operations director, Edmonds brings three decades of experience in the London market to the role, previously holding positions at Lloyd’s and Allianz.
Following an eight-year tenure at Asta, Laura McMaster will step into the newly created role of chief experience officer (CXO). McMaster’s primary focus will be to provide strategic support and advice to Asta’s syndicate clients as they move through various phases of their development. The CXO position will also include ensuring that oversight frameworks remain robust and effective. This client-focused role will help to ensure Asta continues to deliver exceptional service to its syndicates. As such, client management will report into McMaster, in addition to retaining reporting lines for both actuarial and exposure management.
Ben Carter and Phil White have been promoted to chief actuary roles. This shift follows 12 and seven years respectively at Asta. They will each have responsibility for a portfolio of syndicates and Asta will be seeking regulatory approval for both to take on the SMF20 for their portfolios.
Asta said that accounting for business growth, the six promotions follow a series of senior appointments made in Q4 of 2025: Kevin Ball as compliance director and two new underwriting portfolio directors – Georgina Rothman, who joined from Lloyd’s, and Elizabeth Townley, previously at Hiscox. The changes also included the appointment of James Lewis as underwriting oversight director.
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