Insurance business announces new chief executive

Life insurance and protection business Clark UK has announced the appointment of Joshua Sargent as its new CEO.

Sargent, Clark UK’s current chief operating officer, takes over from Matt Edwards who will be returning to New Zealand after a successful 15-year tenure in the UK.

Edwards, who originally founded the company as E-finity Leads in 2012, led the company’s repositioning and transition to Candid in 2019, as well as the latest strategic move to join Clark Group in June this year to trade as Clark UK.

Sargent, who has been with the company for seven years, has worked hand in hand with Edwards to drive this strategic realignment of the business.

Edwards said:  “Over the last five years we have proven that even the oldest and most well-established industries can be disrupted. We have built one of the UKs largest protection distributors within the space of a short few years, protected thousands of families and changed the face of protection forever. I am very proud of this achievement.

“I am pleased to leave Clark UK in the capable hands of Joshua, who I know will continue to represent our values and ethos through our trusted, market leading brands.”

Sargent said: “I’m fortunate to have forged a robust and collaborative partnership with Matt over the last seven years, and I’m committed to maintaining the firm’s strategy to grow our consumer brands and continue to strengthen our position in the UK protection market.”

Bristol-based Clark UK has also announced the promotion of the current head of distribution, Richard Kerton, to the role of chief distribution officer and director.

In addition, Clark UK will be welcoming a new managing director later this year.