Fusion hires new executive

Specialty insurer Fusion has appointed a new managing partner to help grow its mergers and acquisitions business globally.

Fusion, which provides offers protection to small and medium-sized businesses wanting to buy or sell, has hired Katherine Simmonds from Gallagher, the risk management specialist.

There, she headed up the firm's corporate, Australia division.

Her previous roles include managing director of Ironshore Insurance's Australia and New Zealand operation and head of M&A underwriting for Asia-Pacific at AIG.

"With her extensive background in M&A and her success in building and growing underwriting and broking businesses, she brings highly valued expertise to the company as we prepare to launch new insurtech products and services internationally," said Killian McDermott, Fusion's co-founder and executive partner.

"Katie joins Fusion at an exciting time as we continue to experience significant demand, having reached a new milestone of over 200 deals underwritten since our launch less than three years ago."

Simmonds said Fusion aims to transform the insurance experience for clients and partners.

According to Fusion mergers and acquisitions continue to be a key strategy for businesses wanting to drive growth and increase profitability.

Warranty & Indemnity insurance allow deals to be closed quickly improving the certainty of payment due to the insurer's credit rating, the insurance specialist said.

Part of the POP Holdings Group, Fusion now partners with leading insurers, including Allianz, Markel, Zurich, Ping An, and HDI Global Specialty.