Guy Carpenter names new Pacific chief
Justin Ward has been appointed CEO of Pacific at Guy Carpenter, effective immediately, taking responsibility for the broker’s placement business across the region. He will lead and manage the broker’s broking organisation in the Pacific region, further develop business strategy for clients across the region, and work closely with James Sullivan, head of broking, Guy Carpenter Pacific.
Ward reports to Tony Gallagher, CEO of Guy Carpenter Asia Pacific. His appointment comes as the reinsurance market in Australia and New Zealand continues to see rate reductions, with loss-free reinsurance business seeing risk-adjusted rate reductions of between 10% and 15% at the July 2026 renewals, according to reinsurance broker Howden Re.
The reinsurance market in the Pacific region is currently favourable for buyers, driven by abundant global capacity and a sustained run of reinsurer profitability. This has led to a decrease in reinsurance costs, which in turn affects the pricing that local carriers can offer on commercial property and strata risks.
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As CEO of Pacific, Ward will play a key role in negotiating these placements and developing business strategy for clients across the region. He brings a strong background in broking and balance sheet management, having joined Guy Carpenter in 2018 and held senior broking positions in both Sydney and Singapore.
Ward has served as Capital Advisory Leader for Asia Pacific since 2024, a role focused on how insurers structure and raise capital, including through insurance-linked securities and catastrophe bonds. Before joining Guy Carpenter, he worked at Insurance Australia Group, National Australia Bank, and AMP in senior reinsurance, financial planning, and risk advisory roles.
Ward will relocate to Sydney from Singapore in July 2027 and will continue as capital advisory leader for Asia Pacific until then, retaining the regional capital mandate alongside the Pacific broking leadership through the transition.
Marsh has also announced the appointment of James Beedle to Guy Carpenter Pacific’s board of directors, subject to regulatory approval. Beedle brings more than 36 years of reinsurance experience as both broker and underwriter, across London, Sydney, Tokyo, and Singapore.
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Beedle led PartnerRe’s Asia-Pacific business as chief executive from January 2017 and took the chair of the Singapore Reinsurers’ Association earlier in 2026. His appointment to the board of directors is expected to bring a valuable underwriting perspective to the company.
“With our strengthened management team, led by Justin in Pacific, and the addition of James to our board of directors, Guy Carpenter is well placed to help clients across Asia Pacific deal with a market shaped by catastrophe risk, evolving regulation, and growing demand for tailored analytics and advisory support,” said Tony Gallagher.
Ward’s appointment follows the announcement that Benjamin Savill, the current CEO Pacific, will be leaving to become chief executive of Swiss Re’s Australia and New Zealand operation from October 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. They have not stated publicly whether Ward is Savill’s direct successor.
