Ryan Specialty has announced the appointments of Mark Birrell as Executive Chairman and James Montgomery as CEO of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers International (RSUM International), effective January 1, 2025. Both executives are based in RSUM International’s London headquarters.

Miles Wuller, President and CEO of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers, commented on the appointments, “Mark and [James] are colleagues and executives each with exceptional track records of building, innovating and executing on growth initiatives at the highest level. We are confident they will integrate and continue to scale the exceptional talent and resources of RSUM International, Castel and Innovisk and accelerate our international expansion.”

Birrell, an entrepreneur and insurtech innovator with over 45 years of experience in the insurance industry, joined Ryan Specialty via acquisition, assuming the role of Chairman and CEO of RSUM International. Montgomery has been with Ryan Specialty since 2016, playing a key role in the growth and global consolidation of the Ryan Transactional Risk platform.

Speaking on his new role, Birrell said, “I’m excited to take on the new role of Executive Chairman and focus on the continued international expansion in both product and region.”

Montgomery added, “The business is primed for continued growth and positioned exceptionally well with a great roster of individuals across all of our teams, geographies and verticals.” &