RSA UK and Western Europe Boss Adrian Brown Quits

The boss of RSA's UK and Western Europe business, Adrian Brown, has quit amid the embattled insurer's major shake-up, which is now led by former Royal Bank of Scotland chief Stephen Hester.

RSA said in a statement that Brown is quitting the troubled group to join brokerage AJ Gallagher but will continue his role at the insurer until after a successor is appointed.

"RSA has been my home for 25 years. I have enormous affection for the group and confidence in its future. I have led the UK business for almost seven years and the time is right for me to take up a new challenge and for the business to seek fresh leadership," said Brown.

"I am confident that the foundation and talented colleagues are there to keep the business moving forward. I will remain fully engaged in the coming weeks with business as usual and in due course look forward to continuing a strong relationship with RSA in my new role."

Once Brown leaves RSA, he will become the executive Chairman of underwriting & distribution at AJ Gallagher.

"We will miss him when he leaves but look forward to a strong relationship continuing at his new employer," said Hester.

"ForBrown, this move to the broking industry represents a fresh challenge at which I believe he will excel. For RSA it provides the opportunity to appoint new leadership in this key part of our business. We have an ambitious business plan which now needs to be driven over a time horizon that Adrian could not reasonably commit to.

"There is a strong and valued team in place in the UK with many initiatives underway to build on our existing business and improve further. I look forward to working closely with Adrian and our team in the coming period to ensure a successful transition."