Our people

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Our goal is to attract and retain the market's most talented people and to empower them to be the best they can be

DUAL has always been about its people. We're one of the world's largest international underwriting agencies, and part of one of the world's largest international insurance group. While that brings many benefits of scale, people don't come to us because we're big, they come because of our entrepreneurial culture. We believe in a People First culture which allows empowered and agile decision making and gives each employee a say in how we operate as an organisation. 

DUAL is well known for our underwriting expertise and across all our teams our vision is to be the best underwriting business in the world. 
 

  • Photo of Kieran Sweeney

    Kieran Sweeney

    Executive Chair, DUAL Group
    Photo of Kieran Sweeney

    Kieran Sweeney

    Executive Chair, DUAL Group

    Kieran has managed and founded a number of (re)insurance companies and MGA's since starting his career at Willis Faber in 1987. He was the CEO of Arrowhead General before founding Align Financial Holdings ("AFH*) in 2003, a U.S. based insurance holding company that owned and operated several leading P&C MGA businesses including Align General Insurance Agency and Catalytic Risk Managers. Kieran also founded ReAlign Holdings in 2020. AFH was acquired by DUAL Group in October 2021.

  • Photo of Richard Clapham

    Richard Clapham

    CEO, DUAL Group
    Photo of Richard Clapham

    Richard Clapham

    CEO, DUAL Group

    Richard Clapham is CEO for DUAL Group and joined the company in 2016. Richard is also a member of the Howden Group Business Management Team and Global Leadership Team.
    Richard brings 40 years’ experience in the industry, including a decade at XL Catlin, where he was a member of the group underwriting board. Prior to that, Richard led Markel’s professional indemnity division and has also held roles at Bain Hogg and Aon.
    Outside of work, Richard has extensive equestrian interests, including acting as an official at the last six summer Olympic Games. Richard enjoys nothing more than a weekend racing down the mountains during the ski season.

  • Photo of Mark Hudson

    Mark Hudson

    CFO, DUAL Group
    Photo of Mark Hudson

    Mark Hudson

    CFO, DUAL Group

    Previously with Novae Group plc, where he served on its executive committee and was finance director of its managing agency subsidiary, Novae Syndicates Limited. A member of the Lloyd’s Market Association finance committee and qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte. Mark previously held the role as Group Finance Director for Howden Group and is currently a Trustee of the Howden Group Foundation.

  • Photo of Scott Sayce

    Scott Sayce

    Group Chief Commercial Officer
    Photo of Scott Sayce

    Scott Sayce

    Group Chief Commercial Officer

    Scott Sayce is DUAL Groups’ Chief Commercial Officer and brings nearly 25 years of experience of complex specialty product lines across MGA's and large Insurance companies. Working closely with our regional teams, Scott is driving the innovation agenda and ensuring our strategy remains focused on how we can add real and tangible value to our strategic partners across a fast-moving insurance market that requires a deep understanding of the industry trends that drive clients’ evolving and emerging insurance needs.

  • Photo of Damien Coates

    Damien Coates

    CEO, DUAL ANZ
    Photo of Damien Coates

    Damien Coates

    CEO, DUAL ANZ

    With 30 years of insurance experience, Damien is a recognised leader in the industry. Before founding DUAL Australia in 2004, he was Vice President at AIG overseeing the Commercial Financial Lines & Management Liability portfolio across the UK, Ireland and Africa.
    Under Damien’s leadership, DUAL expanded across the Asia Pacific region. It now has offices across Australia and New Zealand with the business exceeding $365m in GWP. Beyond DUAL, Damien is a passionate advocate for mental health. As a Mental Health Ambassador and partner of the Black Dog Institute, he’s shared his personal journey with depression with over 10,000 people. By raising awareness, breaking stigmas and sharing the clinically proven approaches that have supported his own positive mental health, he aims to inspire others to prioritise theirs.

  • Photo of Olaf Jonda

    Olaf Jonda

    CEO, DUAL Europe
    Photo of Olaf Jonda

    Olaf Jonda

    CEO, DUAL Europe

    Olaf was appointed CEO, DUAL Europe in 2022 and is responsible for leading DUAL Europe’s management and underwriting teams’ growth and profitability, along with driving strategic vision across 13 countries. Olaf is also a member of the DUAL Group Executive Committee. He joined DUAL in 2011 as an underwriter and held several roles, including Head of Underwriting, before he was appointed MD of DUAL Deutschland in 2019. Olaf started his insurance career with Winterthur in 2002 and also worked at Creditreform responsible for rating companies. Olaf studied Business Administration at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne.

  • Photo of Marilena Rodriguez

    Marilena Rodriguez

    CEO, DUAL Latin America
    Photo of Marilena Rodriguez

    Marilena Rodriguez

    CEO, DUAL Latin America

    Marilena Rodriguez is the CEO for Latin America at DUAL Group and a member of the DUAL Group’s Executive Committee. She joined the company in 2024. With over 31 years of industry experience, she began her career as a mechanical engineer - loss adjuster. Marilena spent 12 years at ACE, many of them in Latin American Regional Roles, followed by 10 years at XL Catlin, where she served as Managing Director for Catlin in Colombia and Head of Facultative Business for Latin America. Before joining DUAL, Marilena was the P&C Underwriting Director at AXA Mexico. She enjoys quality time with her family by playing sports like golf and tennis. During vacations, she loves to travel the world, exploring different countries, meeting people, and experiencing diverse cultures.

  • Photo of Ed  Ashby

    Ed Ashby

    CEO, DUAL North America
    Photo of Ed  Ashby

    Ed Ashby

    CEO, DUAL North America

    Ed was appointed Chief Executive Officer of DUAL North America in March 2026. He is responsible for the strategic growth of the business, including the development of carrier and broker partnerships, expanded product offerings, and innovative new capacity solutions. Having started his career in the UK, Ed now has more three decades of US market experience and has particular expertise surrounding specialty underwriting and building distribution-led businesses. Before joining DUAL North America, Ed was Chief Commercial Officer for AXIS, and prior to that he held leadership roles at QBE, including Head of Global Distribution, North America, and Head of Credit and Surety. Ed graduated from Loughborough University with degrees in Politics & Social Psychology and Political Science & Government. He has also completed the Executive Management Leadership Program at The Wharton School.

  • Photo of Simon McGinn

    Simon McGinn

    CEO, DUAL UK
    Photo of Simon McGinn

    Simon McGinn

    CEO, DUAL UK

    Simon McGinn is CEO for DUAL UK and joined the company in January 2024. He is responsible for helping to drive ambitious growth plans for DUAL’s UK business.
    Simon brings 31 years’ experience in the industry having joined Commercial Union as a graduate in 1992. He has worked in a variety of roles predominantly in the UK General Insurance market at Aviva and Allianz.
    He took on a number of different responsibilities at Executive level during his 19 years at Allianz including Trading Director for the North & Midlands, General Manager for the Commercial & Personal businesses and most recently CEO Allianz Commercial, as well as being part of the UK PLC Board.
    Outside of work, he is a passionate rugby follower having played and coached but now supporting just as enthusiastically.