Davies promotes Patel to deputy CEO of North America

Insurance intermediary Davies has promoted Dhara Patel to the newly created role of president and deputy CEO of its North American business. 

Patel, who was most recently Davies’ CEO of Specialty Programmes, joined the company in 2023 with its acquisition of claims and service businesses from Brown & Brown.  

Her appointment comes after Davies announced a new go-to-market structure in North America under CEO, Matt Button, following a period of significant growth, with US dollar revenues now making up half of Davies’ global business.

Patel will lead Davies’ North American operations and sales teams at a time when Davies continues its commitment to invest and grow its service offering for clients in the US and Canada, Davies said. Patel will report directly to Button. 

Patel said: “I am honoured to take on this new role and I look forward to working closely with our talented leadership team here in North America, and around the globe.  It is an exciting time to be part of Davies as we continue to innovate, deliver exceptional solutions to clients, and strong organic and M&A growth”.

Patel’s top team is made up of: Peter Lucas, CEO of Insurance and Risk Management, Ken Scott, Senior Vice President of Growth and Account Management, and Don Lederer, who has been newly promoted to CEO of Davies' enlarged Claims Solutions business unit. This follows the recent integration of the firm's Claims Solutions and Specialty Programs businesses.

Button said: “Dhara is a highly accomplished leader, she has made a big impact since joining from the Brown & Brown deal, and her experience is invaluable to our business. We have a proud record of internal promotion and career development in Davies, and I am thrilled to see Dhara and Don step up into their new roles”.

In the past 10 years, Davies has completed more than 50 acquisitions, expanding its service offering & entering new geographies. In November 2023, the firm added significant new claims and services capabilities to its North American claims business through the acquisitions of four claims and services businesses from Brown & Brown. In February 2024 Davies added forensic accounting expertise, through the acquisition of Matson, Driscoll & Damico (MDD).

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