Industry veterans Hugh Hessing and Gavin Routledge bring decades of insurance, technology and strategic leadership experience to the insurtech challenger

Genasys (genasystech.com), a provider of cloud-based core insurance administration software for insurers, MGAs and brokers, today announced the appointment of Hugh Hessing and Gavin Routledge as Non-Executive Directors.

The appointments come at a pivotal moment for Genasys as the company establishes itself as a true mid-market challenger to the enterprise policy administration software incumbents. Both appointments bring significant depth of experience across insurance operations, technology transformation and strategic growth, further strengthening the company’s leadership as it enters its next phase of expansion.

Hugh Hessing

Hugh Hessing brings over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, spanning major property and casualty and life insurers. He spent a decade at KPMG delivering major transformation projects for clients including Swiss Re, Barclays Insurance and Norwich Union Life (now Aviva), before spending 14 years at Aviva in a succession of senior executive roles including UK Claims Director, CEO of Aviva Ireland and Group Automation Director. His most recent corporate position was UK Chief Operating Officer at Aviva, with responsibility for data, operations, IT, CISO and first-line governance, followed by Group Chief Operating Officer at Direct Line Group. Hugh now runs his own advisory business, supporting start-ups and scale-ups delivering new technology to the insurance industry.

Hugh Hessing commented: “Having spent my career working with and around legacy insurance technology, I know first-hand how much the industry needs modern, flexible alternatives. Genasys has built something genuinely different, and I am delighted to be joining the board at such an exciting time. The platform’s ability to deliver rapid product launches and streamlined operations is exactly what the mid-market has been waiting for.”

Gavin Routledge

Gavin Routledge is a seasoned corporate finance and private equity professional with deep roots in the insurance sector. A qualified lawyer, he began his career at Webber Wentzel (now in alliance with Linklaters), specialising in international financial law, structured finance and mergers and acquisitions. In 1995, he co-founded Capricorn Ventures International (now Yellowwoods International), the investment arm of the Enthoven insurance group, which encompasses Hollard Insurance, Auto & General and Budget Insurance, among others. He managed strategic investments across the group, including in Clientele Life Assurance Company Limited, where he now serves as Chairman of Clientele Limited (listed on the JSE), alongside chairmanships of

Clientele Life Assurance, Clientele General Insurance, 1Life Insurance and Emerald Life. He is a former board member of Genasys Holdings, the group’s holding company.

Gavin Routledge commented: “I have watched Genasys’s evolution closely over a number of years and have been consistently impressed by the calibre of the team and the trajectory of the business. The insurance industry globally is at an inflection point, and Genasys is exceptionally well positioned to capture significant market share. I am pleased to be joining the board and contributing to the next chapter of the company’s growth.”

Andre Symes, CEO of Genasys, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Hugh and Gavin to the Genasys board. Hugh’s operational experience at the very highest levels of UK insurance, combined with his passion for technology-led transformation, makes him an invaluable addition. Gavin’s strategic acumen and long-standing involvement in the insurance investment landscape bring a perspective that will be instrumental as we scale. These appointments reflect our ambition and our confidence in the path ahead.”

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