Arthur J Gallagher (AJG) has appointed Tim Fisher to the position of joint managing director of the national specialist trade credit and surety practice, which he will lead along with current managing director Martin Holland.

Fisher joins from Marsh where he was head of the UK and Ireland credit practice. He had been working at Marsh in various leadership roles since 2005, when he joined from Aon trade finance after working at specialist trade credit insurers Euler Hermes and Coface.

“Tim’s appointment is great news — it will help take trade credit and surety, which is already one of the largest broking practices in the UK, to another level. I look forward to welcoming him on board so we can make the most of the tremendous opportunities this opens up,” says Holland.

Fisher’s appointment is part of AJG’s efforts to expand the team’s focus on UK-based companies across its regional network and cater to a wider range of customers, from smaller UK businesses to multinationals demanding innovative global solutions.

“The global recession raised the profile of trade credit as an effective risk mitigation tool, one that could protect balance sheets, create trading confidence and facilitate business growth. Now we are seeing a sustained appetite for cover – cover that, with plenty of insurer capacity and affordable premiums, is providing excellent value for customers right across the spectrum,” comments Fisher. “I’m really looking forward to working with Martin and the team to both maximise the opportunities created through the company’s extensive network of community brokers, and develop industry-leading customer propositions to accelerate the growth of its national specialist practice.”