Davies names new deputy chairman and chief marketing officer

Davies, the specialist professional services and technology business serving the insurance industry, has promoted two of its executives as part of its push for strong organic growth and digital transformation.

Darren Coombes has been named as group deputy chairman, while Dene Rowe becomes group chief marketing officer.

Coombes has held various leadership roles within the business over 20 years, latterly as chief growth officer. He joins Davies’ UK FCA regulated boards as non-executive director and divisional boards to provide additional focus on client service and growth.

He also assumes a global ambassadorial role, supporting client relationship management and focusing on strategic opportunities and new markets.

Rowe joined Davies as innovation director through the acquisition of Keoghs in 2020. He has held a series of senior executive roles across marketing, innovation, digital transformation and sales, developing new services and successful revenue generating opportunities across legal and claims solutions.

Rowe joins Davies’ group executive committee and will take up his post in early April, reporting directly to Dan Saulter, the group chief executive officer. He will lead marketing, communications, innovation, pipeline management and tender activity, to support Davies’ organic business growth on a global basis.

He will also sponsor Davies’ drive to implement automation and artificial intelligence internally, in partnership with technology teams and business heads.

Saulter said: “Davies has a fantastic track record of promoting from within and investing in our people to build strong leadership teams. As we look to the future, the global insurance market must continue to innovate and transform. We must ensure Davies remains at the centre of that change, including via our investment in technology and automation, alongside investment in our people and their career development.”