Broadstone Names New Head of Insurance Advisory
Broadstone appoints Matthew Ford as Head of Insurance Advisory & Remediation, a move aimed at expanding the firm’s capabilities in the pension risk transfer market and strengthening its presence in London’s insurance sector.
Veteran actuary takes the helm of Broadstone’s insurance unit
Ford arrives from Milliman, where he served as a Principal in the London life practice, focusing on pension risk transfer and capital management propositions. His prior roles include finance director for the Insurance and Wealth division at Lloyd’s Banking Group, and leading the London life practice at Willis Towers Watson. He also held the actuarial director position at Prudential Assurance Company. The breadth of his experience spans both consultancy and carrier environments, giving him a rare blend of technical and commercial insight.
“Broadstone already has a strong reputation in the insurance industry but there is a significant opportunity to spearhead further growth as the business continues to invest in its differentiated proposition,” Ford said in a statement. “I am delighted to be joining at this time and will use my experience working at both consultancies and insurance firms, to bring a strong market focus and deliver bespoke, client-relevant solutions as we expand our insurance sector business.”
His appointment follows a strategic investment by Lovell Minnick Partners, announced on 7 January 2025, to accelerate Broadstone’s expansion, especially within its Insurance Advisory & Remediation division. The firm has been building momentum after acquiring ExactVAL in 2025, a move that added actuarial analytics tools to its portfolio.
Growth plans hinge on recent investments and market positioning
Broadstone’s CEO, Tony Gusmao, highlighted the hire as evidence of the firm’s commitment to the insurance market. “Matthew’s appointment to lead our growing Insurance Advisory & Remediation division reflects our continued investment in the strategically important insurance market,” he said. “He has a great pedigree with significant practitioner experience in insurance which will be critical as we continue to scale Broadstone’s footprint in this market.”
Related: Legal and General names new origination chief
The firm intends to leverage Ford’s background to deepen its advisory services for pension risk transfer, a niche that has gained traction as companies seek to offload longevity risk. According to a recent industry report, assets transferred via pension risk solutions exceeded $200 billion globally in 2024, showing the segment’s growth potential.
Ford’s expertise in capital management propositions is expected to aid clients handling regulatory changes in the UK and EU. The firm also plans to enhance its technology offerings, integrating data analytics platforms that were part of the ExactVAL acquisition.
In the short term, Broadstone will focus on expanding its team in the Lloyd’s market, where underwriting capacity and specialist expertise remain in demand. The company aims to recruit additional actuaries and consultants to support the broadened service line.
One could argue that the timing mirrors past industry shifts, where firms with strong advisory capabilities gained market share after major regulatory reforms. The current environment, with heightened scrutiny on pension scheme funding, offers a comparable backdrop for growth.
Broadstone’s strategy also includes partnerships with technology providers to streamline data processing for insurance clients. The goal is to reduce manual effort and improve the speed of risk assessments, a priority for many insurers facing tighter margins.
Related: Top 5 Female-Led Fintech Companies
While the appointment signals confidence, the market’s appetite for change is, oddly enough, still tentative. Some insurers remain cautious about committing to large‑scale advisory projects until the economic outlook stabilizes.
Ford will report directly to the firm’s senior leadership team and will coordinate with the broader advisory group to align service delivery across sectors. His role will encompass both client acquisition and the development of new solution frameworks.
Broadstone expects the expanded insurance advisory unit to contribute a measurable share of revenue within the next fiscal year, though exact targets have not been disclosed. The firm’s financial filings indicate a steady increase in advisory fees over the past three years.
Analysts note that the combination of Ford’s background and Broadstone’s recent capital backing positions the company well to capture emerging opportunities in the insurance advisory space.
