London, UK (16 June 2025): Specialist global insurer Hiscox has announced the appointment, subject to regulatory approval, of Harriet Hanna as Chief Operating Officer for Hiscox Syndicates Ltd (HSL) – the Lloyd’s of London Managing Agent which provides underwriting capacity to Hiscox’s business units including Hiscox London Market.
Harriet brings over 20 years’ experience in technology and financial services, including roles at Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and Amazon. At Amazon, Harriet held senior leadership positions in the Alexa division and then latterly in Amazon Stores International, where she helped launch AI-based grocery stores in the UK market. Most recently, Harriet was Chief Operations Officer at Funding Circle Ltd, where she helped the business to scale and deliver profitable business growth. Harriet also holds an MBA from London Business School.
As Chief Operating Officer for HSL, Harriet will have oversight responsibilities for the operational capabilities of HSL, ensuring that all business units writing onto syndicate capacity operate within agreed service standards and the latest regulatory guidance. In addition, Harriet will also have direct responsibility for the Operations and Change teams within the London Market business, setting operational strategy, driving operational excellence, as well as leading the continued evolution of the business unit. Based in London and reporting to Hiscox London Market’s CEO – Kate Markham, Harriet will sit on the Hiscox London Market Leadership Team and join the HSL Board when she takes up her role in September.
Harriet will succeed Adam Rushin who is retiring after more than 25 years’ service with Hiscox.
Commenting on Harriet’s appointment, Kate Markham says: “Harriet joins us at a pivotal time for us as we continue to scale our business and accelerate our digital transformation efforts. Her significant operational experience, including in areas like digital, data and AI, will add great value. I look forward to welcoming Harriet to the business, and seeing her play a key role in ensuring we continue to deliver outstanding service to our brokers and clients today, as well as setting us up to thrive in the medium and longer term.”
Kate adds: “I would also like to offer my thanks and gratitude to Adam Rushin who is retiring after a stellar 25-year career at Hiscox which has seen him take on operations roles throughout the Group, with the last decade focused on Hiscox London Market. His passion for this business and everyone who works here will be greatly missed. We wish him well in his retirement.”
On her appointment, Harriet says: “Over the past few years, Hiscox has distinguished itself by leveraging technology to drive transformational change within the insurance sector. It’s an exciting time to join the business as it continues to evolve and innovate, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build on its strong track record of giving businesses the confidence to realise their ambitions.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Carmel McCarthy, Global Media Relations Lead: [email protected], 07769 280 903
Notes to editors
About The Hiscox Group
Hiscox is a global specialist insurer, headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). Our ambition is to be a respected specialist insurer with a diverse portfolio by product and geography. We believe that building balance between catastrophe-exposed business and less volatile local specialty business gives us opportunities for profitable growth throughout the insurance cycle.
The Hiscox Group employs over 3,000 people in 14 countries and has customers worldwide. Through the retail businesses in the UK, Europe and the USA, we offer a range of specialist insurance products in commercial and personal lines. Internationally traded, bigger ticket business and reinsurance is underwritten through Hiscox London Market and Hiscox Re & ILS.
Our values define our business, with a focus on people, courage, ownership and integrity. We pride ourselves on being true to our word and our award-winning claims service is testament to that. For more information, visit www.hiscoxgroup.com.
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