REFILE-Exclusive: CAC Group elevates Ash to COO, Daly to chief commercial officer in wave of promotions

By James Thaler

May 7 - (The Insurer) - CAC Group has promoted Andrea Ash to chief operating officer and Colin Daly to chief commercial officer, with both executives joining its executive committee, alongside a wave of senior promotions, the specialty intermediary has confirmed to The Insurer.

In addition to the Ash and Daly’s new roles, CAC has appointed Michael Wakefield head of specialty products, Sara Kane to head of industry verticals, Nate Baseman as head of data and technology, and Michael Newman as head of sales.

David Barnes has also been named head of private equity and strategic client solutions, with Bo Hartsfield named employee benefits and agency liaison and Bain Head named CAC Group board liaison.

The executives outside of Ash and Daly have also been named executive vice presidents. Ash is taking over from Eric Joost who previously held the COO title, while Daly’s role as chief commercial officer is a newly created position.

The appointments are part of a broader leadership transition at the company, after Erin Lynch took over as CEO of the company last month from founding CEO Mike Rice.

Ash joined the company in May 2021 from Beecher Carlson as a founding leader of CAC’s natural resources practice, helping establish the company’s operational infrastructure and performance culture.

In her expanded role as chief operating officer, Ash will oversee enterprise operations, technology, and integration strategy.

A spokesperson for CAC confirmed the appointments and said that Daly brings deep experience in growing complex commercial platforms as well as providing effective strategic advice around exposure assessment, negotiation, structure and placement of coverage, as well as claims advocacy to clients across all industries.

As chief commercial officer, Daly will also be responsible for driving CAC’s vertical, specialty products and sales organizations.

“Since its inception, CAC Group has made bold moves to attract and retain best-in-class talent, deliver highly specialized insurance solutions to its clients, and scale with intention,” Lynch said in a statement.

“The addition of Andrea and Colin to the executive committee reinforces that vision, helping to position the company for its next chapter of growth and integration,” she added.

“These appointments reflect our continued commitment to building a scalable, integrated platform that delivers for clients and empowers our people,” Lynch continued.

“We’re bringing together some of the brightest minds in the industry to lead with focus, agility, and purpose. I’m incredibly proud of this team and excited for what we’ll accomplish together,” the CEO concluded.