Defence Claims Handler
About the job
- Previous experience in claims, insurance, financial services, legal services, customer service, or a similar office-based role.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage a busy workload and prioritize effectively.
- Customer-focused, proactive, and professional approach.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a team environment.
- Good information technology skills, including Microsoft Office.
- GCSEs or equivalent, including English and Maths.
- Interest in developing a long-term career within claims, insurance, or legal services.
- Manage a personal caseload of third-party motor and property damage claims from inception through settlement.
- Review claims, assess liability, and make decisions in line with company procedures.
- Negotiate with third parties, insurers, and legal representatives to progress claims and reach settlements.
- Set up new claims accurately and maintain detailed records throughout the claim lifecycle.
- Proactively manage claims to ensure they progress efficiently and are resolved within service level agreements.
- Handle credit hire claims and capture relevant hire and repair information.
- Maintain accurate reserves and claim data.
- Provide regular updates to clients and deliver a high standard of customer service.
- Work closely with colleagues and management to support team objectives and service delivery.
- Experience handling defence claims, particularly Personal Injury or Credit Hire claims.
About the company
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm. It helps businesses, public entities, and individuals manage risk and obtain insurance through three segments: brokerage, risk management, and corporate. The brokerage unit offers a full range of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage and consulting services to match clients with coverage. The risk management unit handles contract claim settlements, claim administration, loss control consulting, and risk management information services to reduce exposures. The corporate unit oversees the company’s clean energy and other investments. The firm differentiates itself by providing end-to-end risk solutions across insurance placement, claims handling, risk counseling, and investment activities, rather than focusing on a single service. Its goal is to help clients manage risk effectively, protect assets, and pursue value through diverse investments, including clean energy.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Itasca, Illinois
Founded
1927
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 combined brokerage and risk management revenue rose 24%, with 6% organic growth.
- Gallagher closed seven tuck-ins in Q2 2026 and has over thirty signed term sheets.
- Renewables, embedded insurance, and transaction solutions gained fresh hires and platform partnerships in 2026.
What critics are saying
- Integration costs from AssuredPartners hit Q2 2026 margins and distract leadership through 2027.
- Nevada disability discrimination litigation filed October 1, 2026, risks reputational damage and discovery costs.
- Marsh and Aon keep poaching specialists, compressing pricing and talent retention across key markets.
What makes Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. unique
- Gallagher operates in 130 countries, blending retail brokerage, wholesale, and claims administration.
- Its acquisition machine added AssuredPartners in 2025 and three New Zealand deals since early 2025.
- Specialty teams in PEMA and renewables deepen stickiness with transaction-heavy, technical clients.
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Benefits
Professional Development Budget
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
15%1 year growth
15%2 year growth
15%Key hires announced by Gallagher in Germany & Netherlands. Gallagher, the global insurance broking and risk management company, has announced two further hires into its fast-growing Private Equity and M&A practice (PEMA) as it continues to widen its European footprint of in-country expertise. Philip Frerks has been appointed Head of Transaction Solutions, Germany, within the global multidisciplinary PEMA practice and joins to further strengthen its regional presence and bring expertise close to client communities. While Andrea Karkotis joins Gallagher as Associate Director, Warranty & Indemnity (W&I), Netherlands, adding to the growing PEMA team in Amsterdam. Based in Frankfurt, former corporate M&A lawyer Philip will lead Gallagher's transaction solutions offering in Germany, bringing a decade's experience advising private equity and corporate clients on M&A-related risks, first as legal adviser and later facilitating various transaction-related insurance solutions and providing due diligence services. He joins from Malakut Group, a broker based in the Middle East for which he served in a global role as Head of M&A. Prior to this, Philip worked as a director in a major broker's M&A and transaction solutions division and was as an associate at international law firms White & Case and Sullivan & Cromwell. Philip's arrival as Head of Transaction Solutions for Germany follows Federica Marcabruni joining Gallagher to perform the same role for Italy in June, Gabriella Eriksen Wingren joining in July for the Nordics as well as Sarah Dezes and Charles Amblard's arrival in France during the same period. Based in Amsterdam, Andrea joins Gallagher's PEMA team in the Netherlands from global law firm Clifford Chance, where he worked on cross-border M&A, infrastructure, renewable energy and real estate transactions across Europe and the Middle East. His experience includes commercial contracting, due diligence and transaction management. Prior to relocating to Amsterdam, Andrea practised law in South Africa, where he focused on commercial and industrial real estate transactions across South and Sub-Saharan Africa, advising property funds on a wide range of commercial property and corporate matters. Alistair Lester, Gallagher CEO for Private Equity and M&A, UK & EMEA, said: "Germany is one of Europe's most influential private equity and M&A markets and an important pillar of its growth strategy across the region. As investors look to unlock value amid evolving market conditions and an increasingly competitive deal environment, demand for sophisticated transaction risk solutions continues to grow. Philip's arrival will significantly strengthen its capabilities in-country and across the entire EMEA region. "We're also delighted to be adding further resources in the Netherlands, where Andrea will be a fantastic addition to our growing team. Our strategy is all about placing experienced specialists close to clients and their advisers in the markets where they operate. Philip and Andrea's appointments demonstrate our ability to attract lateral and new talent to our accelerating platform and enhance our ability to deliver local expertise while drawing on the strength of Gallagher's global platform, providing clients with the insight, responsiveness and solutions they need to successfully complete transactions in today's market." Philip Frerks commented: "Gallagher has established a clear ambition to become a leading adviser to the private equity and M&A community and built significant momentum across Europe. The opportunity to join a growing team, strengthen the firm's transaction solutions offering in Germany and work alongside highly respected colleagues across the wider Gallagher business was an opportunity not to be missed. I am excited to be part of the next phase of growth and look forward to helping clients access bespoke risk transfer solutions that support successful transactions in an increasingly complex deal environment."
Gallagher strikes deal to acquire Kiwi broker Albany Insurance Services. Gallagher has acquired Kiwi retail insurance brokerage Albany Insurance Services, according to a press release. The terms of the deal were undisclosed, with Albany set to operate under Gallagher's New... To continue reading the full article and get full access to the InsuranceAsia News platform, please enquire about a subscription. Your company may already have a corporate license in place. * Marsh Japan completes Eneos acquisition, Hiroyuki Hata to lead rebranded agency * October 1 Global broker completes acquisition of the inhouse insurance intermediary businesses of Japanese energy giant Eneos and renames it EMIS Insurance Services. * Aon bolsters Japan global solutions team with twin appointments * October 1 Naoki Kido named global head and Yuki Tanemura global chief commercial officer and head of North America for the broker's Japanese multinational client servicing team. * Marsh promotes Thailand's Derek Heng to Asean CEO, Peta Latimer takes Singapore helm * September 30 Heng will continue in his role as Thailand CEO, while Latimer will retain her responsibilities as president of the people and investments business in Asia. * Hong Kong broker Nova's revenue rises 12% to US$20m as mainland expansion contributes * September 29 Hong Kong-listed FSE Lifestyle Services' insurance arm's latest results include a full year of revenue from Beijing Nova Insurance Services, which it acquired in December 2024. Partner Content * Sedgwick | Captives in Asia: From Niche Solution to Strategic Risk Platform Captive insurance has evolved from niche tool to strategic risk infrastructure in Asia, with connected claims data seen as key to unlocking its full value. * BlackRock | Rethink the rules: how TAA and ETFs are reshaping portfolio construction BlackRock's Daniel Caderas and MSCI's Raman Aylur Subramanian explain why tactical asset allocation (TAA) and exchange-traded funds (ETF) have become essential as global markets fragment and static allocations lose their reliability. * BlackRock | Infrastructure comes of age for insurers Are insurers capturing full value from the asset class? BlackRock shares its perspective. * PartnerRe | The missing life stage: why caregiving is reshaping the future of protection in APAC To stay relevant, insurers should engage caregivers earlier with solutions that combine protection, navigation support, and preventative planning.
Gallagher appoints transaction solutions lead for Germany. Sarah Jolly October 1, 2026 Gallagher has continued to expand its private equity and M&A (PEMA) practice in Europe with the appointment of Philip Frerks as head of transaction solutions, Germany, and Andrea Karkotis as associate director of W&I... Want to read this article? ULTIMATE ACCESS PROVIDES YOU WITH * Unrestricted access to Commercial Risk, Commercial Risk Europe and Global Risk Manager news, exclusive expert analysis and opinion * Breaking news, daily and/or weekly Commercial Risk Europe newsletters and regular digital publications * Breaking news, weekly and monthly Global Risk Manager newsletters and quarterly digital Journal * European and global surveys, rankings and special reports * National European local language newsletters * Preferential access to webinars and virtual and physical conferences If you are already a registered user or subscriber you can LOGIN below for ultimate access:
Antarah appoints new CEO for Middle East and Africa. By Lestari Utami October 1, 2026 Leadership transitions affect specialty underwriting, claims, financial, and actuarial oversight across Asian markets. Antarah appoints CEO for Middle East and Africa. Antarah, a managing general agency within The Ardonagh Group, has named Antonio El Hokayem as CEO, pending standard regulatory approvals. El Hokayem comes to the role from Gallagher, where he served in multiple capacities since 2022, including financial lines director for the Middle East and Africa and specialty head for Saudi Arabia. Prior to Gallagher, he worked for three years at Zurich as a financial lines underwriter and began his insurance career as a broker at Chedid Re. This appointment brings a leader versed in underwriting, placement, and portfolio management to oversee Antarah's operations throughout the Middle East and Africa. Antarah functions as an authorized Lloyd's of London Coverholder, operating as an MGA and reinsurance intermediary with a focus on Middle Eastern and African markets. The company's multi-line offering leverages binding authorities and Lloyd's of London capacity. Ardonagh Group CEO David Ross stated: "Antonio's appointment represents a significant step in the development of the group's proposition across the Middle East and Africa, a market where we are seeing continued demand for sophisticated specialty solutions." El Hokayem indicated the firm would prioritize building specialized capabilities across the region and investigate technology and AI-driven underwriting tools. "Our ambition is clear: to build a leading multi-line specialty MGA across the Middle East and Africa, developing specialist capabilities that respond directly to the needs of clients across the region," he explained. He further noted the organization would examine how technology and AI-enabled underwriting could enhance decision-making and underwriting efficiency. McLarens changes Middle East regional leadership. Claims management firm McLarens has selected Ollie Waterman as regional director, Middle East, effective October 1, succeeding Malcolm Addy, who will retire by the end of 2026. Waterman, previously holding the role of commercial development director, Middle East, will now manage the regional operations comprehensively. Mahesh Ganesan, operations director, Middle East, will maintain his current position. As a Chartered Loss Adjuster, Waterman cultivated his professional journey addressing major and complex losses within the London market before relocating to Dubai in 2022. He later became head of property for the Middle East at a global adjusting company, overseeing large-scale losses, financial management, and team leadership across the region. His expanded role encompasses McLarens' primary practice areas of property and casualty, construction and engineering, and marine and specialty lines. He will collaborate with McLarens Aviation and Lloyd Warwick International (LWI) teams in the area. Steven Wallace, managing director, EMEA, remarked: "Malcolm has been instrumental in establishing McLarens as a serious player in the Middle East, and we thank him for his significant contribution. Ollie is a natural practitioner leader - he brings exactly the combination of technical depth, commercial instinct, and regional knowledge this role demands." Markel unifies Singapore and Malaysia operations. Markel Insurance has installed Kevin Leung as managing director, Southeast Asia, effective immediately, following its move to consolidate Singapore and Malaysia operations under a unified Southeast Asia framework. Markel noted that recruitment for his replacement is in progress. He will supervise activities in Singapore and Malaysia, reporting to Sucheng Chang, managing director of Asia Pacific. The revised structure merges the two markets under a singular Southeast Asia leadership role while preserving local management in Malaysia. Chang stated: "Bringing our Singapore and Malaysia teams together strengthens our ability to serve brokers and clients by creating a more connected and coordinated regional platform." Leung possesses over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. He joined Markel in 2023 as chief underwriting officer, Asia Pacific, after holding senior roles at Swiss Re, Catlin, ACE Group, and AIG. Regulators and state-owned firms adjust executive roles. He will head the regulator's Financial Examination Group. Buncio joined the commission on September 7 after a career in banking and government. His previous role was senior director and head of transaction banking at ANZ Group. In India, Dinesh Pant has taken a new position as a whole-time director, actuary, at the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. His appointment reduces the number of serving managing directors at Life Insurance Corporation of India to two. One MD position remains vacant since Sat Pal Bhanoo retired in December 2025. Leadership changes continue as the Financial Services Institutions Bureau lacks a chairman. This bureau recommends appointments to state-owned financial institution boards. Business Standard reports vacancies among non-government members as well. Philippines regulator appoints banking executive. Previously, he served as director for transaction banking, corporate and institutional banking, and non-bank financial institutions from July 2017 to March 2018. Buncio's governmental career included service as senior political affairs officer to then-Sen. Robert Jaworski from June 1998 to January 2001.
Arthur J. Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage operating in approximately 130 countries, has delivered strong financial performance over the past five years despite recent share price underperformance. The company posted 16.3% annualised revenue growth over the period, surpassing the average business services company. Its earnings per share grew even faster at 18.5% annually, indicating improved profitability as the business expanded. The company demonstrated excellent cash generation, with free cash flow margins averaging 17.3% over five years, ranking amongst the best in its sector. Founded in 1927, Arthur J. Gallagher provides insurance brokerage, reinsurance, consulting, and third-party claims settlement services to businesses and individuals worldwide. The company currently trades at $227.70 per share, representing a 16.2× forward price-to-earnings ratio.