BMS appoints environment and social group head

Specialist re/insurance broker BMS appointed its first group head of environmental and social responsibility.

Neil Prior, formerly director within global risks in London, will lead initiatives across the group and report directly to BMS CEO Nick Cook. He will focus exclusively on guiding BMS through “important changes and commitments” as part of its long term sustainability strategy.

With more than 35 years’ experience in the insurance industry, Prior joined BMS in September 2019. Previously, he also led broking teams at Sedgwick, Marsh and JLT. Before that, he was also an underwriter of property and power business at Ace Global Markets (now Chubb) and underwriting director for its Lloyd’s syndicate.

“BMS is committed to being a responsible business with a robust and credible net-zero carbon emissions plan,” said Cook. “We want to work with our clients, our employees and all our stakeholders to assist in moving the market towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious business practices.

“Neil is the ideal individual to take on this critical role. He has significant industry experience, having formed and run his own underwriting business specialising in the global energy sector. Neil has a superb grasp of both underwriting and broking, having worked on both sides, and understands the risks many of our clients face.”

He added: “Over the past decade, BMS has seen significant expansion globally. Through this period, BMS has been recognising and identifying environmental challenges and its expanding social responsibilities. BMS is eager to become an industry leader and to show the long-term value that a clear ESG vision and action plan brings to our clients and the communities we represent. Being appointed to lead this effort at a group level, as an exclusive role, shows just how seriously BMS is taking its environmental and social responsibility.

"I look forward to leading this critical initiative.”