People: Beazley; Beswicks Legal; Principle Estate Management

Beazley, a speciality insurer, has today named Sam Franks as country manager.

Based in Birmingham, Franks will focus on the development of Beazley’s UK and Irish regional business outside the Lloyd’s market, while also retaining his current position within the distribution team as head of partner engagement UK & Ireland.

Franks brings considerable experience and insight to the role, having led Beazley’s regional broker distribution operations for almost six years.

During this time he has strengthened the business’s engagement strategies in the UK and has built a strong network of broker partners and clients.

Before Beazley, Franks held the role of regional manager (Midlands), at Hiscox, having been promoted from head of broker operations, UK.

Fred Kleiterp, European general manager, said: “The creation of the Country Manager role further cements our commitment to our European proposition, supporting clients as they navigate an increasingly complex world. Sam will be an integral point of contact, developing and enhancing our relationships with our regional partners, regulators, and clients, while ensuring our colleagues are supported in fostering their strategic relationships. His already proven ability to lead a team and enable business development, combined with his regional expertise, makes him the ideal person to spearhead this role in aid of growing our presence in Europe.”

Franks said: “I’m both proud of the foundations we’ve built with our broker community in the UK and Ireland regional markets and incredibly excited to be playing a role as we grow together and capitalise on the opportunities within the region. Beazley has a fantastic team in place and I look forward to working with them as we continue to provide expert advice and speciality solutions to an exciting market.”

Beswicks Legal has announced a raft of promotions at the Staffordshire-based law firm.

David Morgan, Daniel Wright, Lauren Jodrell, Laura Pyatt and Anais Graham.

Experienced commercial property lawyer and head of Beswicks’ commercial property team Laura Pyatt has been promoted to partner.

Corporate lawyer David Morgan and family solicitor Lauren Jodrell have been promoted to senior associates. While dispute resolution solicitor Daniel Wright becomes an associate and Anais Graham is promoted to paralegal in the residential property team.

Beswicks Legal’s group operations director Ryan Yates said: “Congratulations to Laura, David, Lauren, Daniel and Anais. All five have worked incredibly hard to deliver outstanding advice and service to their clients. They are extremely talented legal professionals whose promotions are richly deserved.

“At Beswicks we strongly believe in offering an exciting career path with progression opportunities, so it is immensely satisfying to see Laura, David, Lauren, Daniel and Anais succeed and progress.”

Principle Estate Management has recruited a property professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the property sector.

Neelam Samra joins Principle as an associate director who will oversee key management functions including property managers and property assistants from the company’s head office in Birmingham.

Neelam Samra

Samra began her career in the property sector back in 1995 working with housing associations and has held various senior positions, including housing services manager and head of operations.

Polly Dyer, property director at Principle, said: “We’re excited that Neelam is joining us as an associate director and feel certain she will add real strength to our team as we strive to make a difference to the lives of our customers every day.”

“Neelam has an impressive background in the property sector and has achieved some great things in her previous roles. She came across as a passionate and energetic leader at her interview, and clearly showed us that she has an excellent knowledge of property operations and facilities management.”

Samra said: “I’m excited to be joining Principle, a company which I know has developed a strong reputation for quality customer service that has caught the sector’s attention. I am now looking forward to putting my experience to use with the team at Principle.”