William Russell appoints new Commercial Director

With over twenty years of experience in the insurance industry, Siddiqi will be responsible for the strategic leadership of our UK and international sales departments, helping William Russell expand on the success of the past 30 years, as a leading independent international insurer. He will be overseeing global new business and retention activity, leading broker distribution, and managing the global sales function. Additionally, Siddiqi will join the leadership team play and a key role in executing the overarching corporate strategy.

Siddiqi had a 13-year career at private healthcare group Bupa, starting as a National Account Manager consulting with strategic clients across a whole range of health and wellbeing solutions. A move to Citibank in 2011 as Head of Sales and Distribution saw Siddiqi successfully transition sectors into the Global Wealth Management and Retail Banking sector for high-net-worth individuals, with a global lifestyle.

Most recently, Tariq was Sales Director for HCA Healthcare UK, and was tasked with a strategic review of the sales and distribution channels across this complex group following some challenging trading results.

Core values align with William Russell’s

Inez Cooper, Managing Director and Co-Founder of William Russell, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Tariq to William Russell. Tariq’s core values and integrity align with those of the business, and the values by which we serve our clients and customers today.

“Tariq has an impressive track record of sales leadership, business strategy and transformation across multiple sectors having held senior positions at Bupa, Citibank UK and HCA Healthcare. We felt his skill set and broad base of experiences would add significant value to William Russell.”

On Michaels Lewars, the outgoing Commercial Director, Inez said: “Michael was keen to ensure his successor was the right person, and that we were not impacted by the usual void period that follows a senior person moving on. We wish to put on record our thanks to him for facilitating this transition, and for all he has done for us over the last four years.”