Global broker BMS Group’s reinsurance division, BMS Re, has hired John Canavan as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the US, reporting to Chris Brook, Group COO, and Andrew Wheeler, President of BMS Re.
Canavan is a senior reinsurance operations professional with a solid and proven track record, and joins the broker as it looks to further scale after a period of operational, organic, and M&A growth within its reinsurance business.
In his new role as US COO, he will lead BMS Re’s operational expansion, from digital and technological capabilities to collaboration with its London and Bermuda operations, while also contributing to the group’s strategic goals.
Additionally, Canavan will be tasked with managing the operational team at BMS Re, led by managing director Kris Westall.
Most recently, Canavan served as AIG’s Global COO of Reinsurance from October 2021 to March 2023. Earlier in his career, Canavan held operational roles at reinsurance broker Willis Re and Guy Carpenter. In these positions, he played a vital role in improving client and market services, formulating, and executing a digitisation strategy and strengthening reinsurance finance policies.
“Drawing from over four decades of invaluable experience in the US reinsurance market, John brings a wealth of expertise to BMS Re. His unparalleled insight will be instrumental as we continue to expand our reinsurance business. With John working alongside Andrew and me, our team’s paramount focus remains steadfast: placing our clients at the forefront of every decision we make. We’re thrilled to have him join the BMS family,” said Brook.
Canavan, who takes on his new role from May 1st, 2024, commented: “BMS Re is not only undergoing a period of impressive growth but it is also balancing that with a culture and a reputation for superior client service. I have always been drawn to opportunities where I can contribute to growth but in the right way. In BMS Re I see exactly that. I’m delighted to be joining the team and look forward to supporting the drive to further build on BMS Re’s impressive growth.”
