DUAL Group names new CEO of North America operations

DUAL, the underwriting arm of Howden Group Holdings, has appointed James O’Connor to serve as CEO of DUAL North America.

As part of his appointment, O’Connor will be a member of DUAL’s group executive committee. He will report to DUAL Group CEO Richard Clapham.

O’Connor most recently served as EVP and head of middle market & specialty broking in North America for Willis Towers Watson. Aside from his 14-year stint with WTW, he also spent 18 years with Marsh, serving as a managing director in the company’s Dallas and San Francisco offices.

According to Howden Group Holdings CEO David Howden, the US is the largest managing general underwriter (MGU) market in the world, and DUAL’s ambitions “match the size of the opportunity.”

“Jim has an impressive track record of delivering growth and his deep understanding of the US distribution market will be invaluable as we embark on the next stage of our underwriting journey, with growth in North America playing a key role. This promises to be a game-changing time for DUAL,” Howden said.

“DUAL has always been about the tremendous caliber of its people and this appointment absolutely reflects that. Jim is a hugely well-respected industry professional with an impressive career that plays to DUAL’s strengths, added DUAL Group CEO Richard Clapham. “His extensive experience will bring greater added value to our own world class distribution and reputation for underwriting expertise.”

“Joining DUAL is a unique opportunity and I couldn’t be more excited,” commented O’Connor on his appointment, adding that while DUAL is considered a top 20 MGU in the US market, it has “the potential to be so much more.”