How Marsh UK's New CEO Will Lead Client-Focused Innovation

Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor and a business of Marsh McLennan, has announced that James Addington-Smith will take over as the next CEO of Marsh UK.

The company says he will assume the role from 1 January 2026, subject to regulatory approval, succeeding Chris Lay, who is retiring in the first quarter of 2026 after more than 40 years at the business.

Stepping into the role, James will lead the strategic development and execution of Marsh’s UK commercial strategy, covering its risk management, corporate and commercial client segments, risk consulting services and specialty insurance broking solutions.

The firm says he will work closely with Marsh McLennan’s leaders to deliver “market-leading capabilities across risk, strategy and people to clients”. He will report to Flavio Piccolomini, CEO of Marsh McLennan International.

Discussing the appointment, President and CEO of Marsh Martin South says in a statement: “James is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of client-focused innovation, working with both specialty and retail clients. 

“It is very appropriate that someone with such a strong international career will lead our strategically important UK business, a global centre for insurance broking and innovation.”

Chris Lay also serves as CEO of Marsh McLennan UK, and his replacement in this role will be announced “in due course”, according to the firm.

Who is James Addington-Smith?

Kick-starting a 15-year career within the company, James joined Marsh in 2010 as Marine Leader in Asia, following several years working as a senior marine broker in Hong Kong and London.

Other roles include Specialties Leader in Asia from 2016 to 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile, and CEO in South East Asia from 2019 to 2023. Most recently he has served as President of Marsh Asia since 2023.

David Jacob, current CEO of Marsh McLennan Asia, will be taking on the additional role of President of Marsh Asia.

“It’s an honour to return home to lead Marsh’s UK business at a time when organisations are navigating commercial challenges such as economic volatility and inflation,” James says in a statement, “while also deciding how best to take advantage of emerging technologies such as AI.”

He adds: “I’m excited by the opportunity to work with Marsh’s talented UK colleagues to deliver the innovation services and solutions that enable our clients and their communities to thrive.”

Flavio says that James’ “strong leadership credentials and dedication to clients” make him the right candidate for the role.

Unifying around AI and one brand

This new appointment comes just a month after Marsh McLennan announced it will operate under the single Marsh brand starting in January 2026.

The firm says it is also establishing a centralised technology and operations division to accelerate its AI and data analytics capabilities.

The New York Stock Exchange-listed professional services firm announced on 14 October that its rebrand encompasses its four business divisions.

As part of the rebrand, Marsh has created Business and Client Services (BCS) that consolidates technology, data and operations teams and will be led by Chief Information and Operations Officer Paul Beswick.

The BCS unit will enhance client services across the company’s businesses through the unified data and technology ecosystem, leveraging technologies including AI.

Discussing the restructuring at the time, Paul said: “The rapid development of AI and the insights it can derive from our data will help unlock new opportunities for our clients and colleagues.

“By harnessing this powerful tool to simplify operations and elevate service quality, we will drive innovation and deliver efficiencies to reinvest in client value and growth.”

The brand unification will also create structural changes to career development across the organisation, aiming to establish clearer career pathways between business units.

Mateusz Melzacki, Talent Acquisition Lead for EMEA, said at the time: “The move to one Marsh brand will help us tell a simpler, stronger story about who we are: a company offering diverse opportunities, a global platform and a culture built on growth and purpose.”

Both the brand unification and the James’ appointment reflect the company’s commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for clients and colleagues.