Global legal and business services firm DWF has appointed David Abbott (pictured above) as managing partner of its Insurance Services division. The City insurance veteran takes on one of the most senior roles in the firm's fastest-growing business, as it pushes deeper into London, North America and Australia.

The appointment takes effect on May 1. Abbott succeeds Matthew Doughty, who has led the division on an interim basis since becoming group chief executive on August 1 last year. Doughty himself ran Insurance Services from 2023, meaning Abbott's promotion completes a long-anticipated handover at the top of the unit.

Abbott is a familiar name in the London market. His practice spans reinsurance, political risk, political violence, trade credit and energy.

He has held positions on the Lloyd's Market Association's Covid response group and its reinsurance claims group. He also serves as general counsel to the International Association of Claims Professionals, which represents senior claims practitioners worldwide.

The division he now leads employs around 2,000 people globally and acts for a roster of the world's largest insurers.

Growth push under private ownership

DWF's expansion comes against the backdrop of a shift in ownership. The firm, founded in Manchester in 1977, was taken private by mid-market investor Inflexion in October 2023 in a deal valued at about £342 million. The move ended a four-year stint on the London Stock Exchange.

Inflexion has said DWF now spans roughly 30 offices in 18 countries, with around 4,000 staff.

Insurance Services has been the engine of that growth. Figures previously released by DWF show divisional revenue jumped 24% in the financial year to April 2024, outpacing every other part of the group. Group revenue then rose 8% to £466 million in the year to April 2025, before climbing a further 11% in the six months to the end of October.

Much of the momentum has come from aggressive hiring across Australia, Canada and the UK, with London the centrepiece. As reported earlier by the firm, this included 62 colleagues from the London market team of Australia's Hall & Wilcox in 2025.

That was followed in September that year by 28 lawyers across London and Leeds, including four partners poached from Kennedys, joining the major injury and casualty practice.

The hiring streak has carried into 2026. In March, DWF brought in Ian Plumley, a 30-year veteran of the insurance and reinsurance markets, from DAC Beachcroft. Abbott at the time called him "a highly respected figure in the London and Bermuda markets."

Abbott will be joined by Paul Jenks, named chief operating officer for Insurance Services.

Doughty said Abbott had shown "exceptional leadership, deep technical expertise and a clear vision for the continued growth of Insurance Services." He voiced confidence that Abbott and Jenks would form a strong senior team.

Abbott, for his part, said he was "delighted to take on the role," pointing to the momentum built in recent years as he prepares to steer the division into its next phase.