Shaun Hooper appointed MD at Close Brothers Premium Finance as Seán Kemple moves to new CEO role

Shaun Hooper has been appointed Managing Director, Premium Finance at Close Brothers Premium Finance (CBPF).
 
Hooper who begins his role immediately, reports to Rebecca McNeil, CEO Retail. Seán Kemple, who has been MD for CBPF since May 2021 is moving into a broader CEO role with overall responsibility for motor finance in the UK and premium and motor finance in Ireland.
 
Mr Hooper, who was previously chief executive at motor broker Complete Cover Group,  takes charge of a 400-strong UK premium finance team headquartered in Wimbledon, South West London.
 
Rebecca McNeil said: “I want to thank Seán (Kemple) for his exceptional leadership of the premium finance division. In the face of challenging market conditions, he has built CBPF into a powerful, focused business with a clear strategy and strong and enduring relationships with our 1600 broking partners. This cumulated in an award win pre-Christmas where brokers voted for us as finance provider of the year.”
 
“It now makes sense for him to focus his considerable talents on this new role where we have high expectations of further growth in both our premium and motor finance divisions in Ireland and in motor in the UK.”
 
Turning to Shaun Hooper, Ms McNeil said: “Shaun is a very well-known and respected senior leader, with lengthy experience in senior roles with insurers, wholesale markets and broking, running personal and commercial lines brokerages, and I am thrilled that someone of his calibre and experience has chosen to join our team.”
 
“He is steeped in broking, and champions a digital first agenda. I’m confident the market savviness and deep understanding of the broking environment he brings to this role will boost our plans for further growth in the UK premium finance sector.” 
 
Shaun Hooper said: “I am super excited to be joining the great team at Close Brothers premium finance and look forward to building on the great work completed by Seán Kemple.”
 
“We have a great reputation among our broking partners, and the power of the bank at our back will underline for our customers the value of longevity, financial solidity and consistency in what is, currently, a volatile market undergoing rapid change.”  
 
“During the past year, the premium finance division has built an experienced, knowledgeable senior team. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to playing my part in achieving the premium finance division’s long term strategic ambitions.”
 
About Shaun Hooper
 
Prior to joining CBPF, Shaun was Group CEO at motor broker Complete Cover.  He began his career at Lloyds Bank Insurance in the early 90’s, before joining AXA Insurance in 2002 where he was pivotal in the formation of AXA owned broker Bluefin.  He has also spent 7 years in the wholesale and re-insurance markets with the CGSC Group during which he was President and CEO of the US Wholesale broker Swett & Crawford, leaving them for Complete Cover in 2016.