Brightside Recruits Retail COO, Two Other Senior Staff

LONDON (Alliance News) - Brightside Group PLC Monday said it has recruited a chief operating officer for its retail division, a capacity and pricing manager, as well as a new head of compliance, the insurance broker's first big signings since new Chief Executive Paul Williams' arrival.

In a statement, Brightside said it recruited Stuart Grieb, who is set to join on April 14, as its new retail COO from Towergate.

Paul Rountree, who spent 16 years at Endsleigh, joined on the March 24 as capacity and pricing manager, while new Head of Compliance Graham Johnston has experience from a number of senior roles at Towergate, Paymentshield, Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Charles Schwab Europe and Eagle Star.

"Our new trajectory is attractive to talent like Stuart who sought us out. His appointment will add depth to the management structure and accelerate Brightside?s growth programme," said Williams, who joined Brightside a little over a month ago.

"Brightside has grown its panel of insurers over the past few years and having Endsleigh?s former Motor Pricing and Underwriting manager, Paul Rountree, onboard will strengthen the group?s pricing and MGA expertise which will support my focus to target profitable growth for our insurer partners," Williams said in a statement.

"Graham?s experience will benefit Brightside at a time when insurance brokers are coming under increased scrutiny from the Financial Conduct Authority and will ensure that our regulatory obligations are met and that proportionate systems and controls are developed and maintained throughout the implementation of our growth plan," Williams added.

Brightside shares were Monday quoted at 19.00 pence, down 1.3%.

By Samuel Agini; samagini@alliancenews.com; @samuelagini

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