Exclusive: Beazley hires Marsh SE property head Shipper to replace Westhoff as NA commercial property head

By James Thaler

March 12 - (The Insurer) - Beazley has recruited longtime Marsh property executive Lindsay Shipper as its new North America head of commercial property, filling a role that had been vacated by Matt Westhoff in October when he left to join QBE North America as commercial lines president.

Three property market sources familiar with the matter said Shipper has joined Beazley.

Atlanta-based Shipper had spent the entirety of her nearly 17-year career with Marsh, most recently serving as Southeast zone property leader since December 2022.

Westhoff had been with Beazley for five years, initially as head of US large commercial property, before being promoted to oversee North America commercial property in May 2022.

Shipper’s exit from Marsh follows the news earlier this week that rival intermediary Aon had hired a construction-focused team of around 20 from Marsh, including US construction practice leader Rob McDonough.

The move by McDonough and a number of other colleagues marked a return to Aon after they had previously worked for the company.

The Insurer also broke the news that Aon has hired senior Marsh McLennan Agency executive Denise Perlman as the new CEO for its middle market business.

Marsh has added to its property ranks in recent months, after The Insurer broke the news in September that Duncan Ellis had rejoined as the broker’s US and Canada leader for its real estate and hospitality segment following five years with AIG.

Ellis had spent the bulk of his tenure with the insurer as head of North America retail property. He previously spent 27 years with Marsh, latterly as the head of US property.

Beazley’s hire of Shipper comes after the UK-based firm hired Sara Foucher from Generali as its new head of commercial property in Europe.

Beazley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Marsh declined to comment.