Our people

Kieran has managed and founded a number of (re)insurance companies and MGA's since starting his career at Willis Faber in 1987. He was the CEO of Arrowhead General before founding Align Financial Holdings ("AFH*) in 2003, a U.S. based insurance holding company that owned and operated several leading P&C MGA businesses including Align General Insurance Agency and Catalytic Risk Managers. Kieran also founded ReAlign Holdings in 2020. AFH was acquired by DUAL Group in October 2021.

Richard Clapham is CEO for DUAL Group and joined the company in 2016. Richard is also a member of the Howden Group Business Management Team and Global Leadership Team.
Richard brings 40 years’ experience in the industry, including a decade at XL Catlin, where he was a member of the group underwriting board. Prior to that, Richard led Markel’s professional indemnity division and has also held roles at Bain Hogg and Aon.
Outside of work, Richard has extensive equestrian interests, including acting as an official at the last five summer Olympic Games. Richard enjoys nothing more than a weekend racing down the mountains during the ski season.

Previously with Novae Group plc, where he served on its executive committee and was finance director of its managing agency subsidiary, Novae Syndicates Limited. A member of the Lloyd’s Market Association finance committee and qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte. Mark previously held the role as Group Finance Director for Howden Group and is currently a Trustee of the Howden Group Foundation.

20 years’ broking experience and 17 years underwriting experience. Previously founder and CEO of several Insurance Businesses.

With 30 years of insurance experience, Damien is a recognised leader in the industry. Before founding DUAL Australia in 2004, he was Vice President at AIG overseeing the Commercial Financial Lines & Management Liability portfolio across the UK, Ireland and Africa.
Under Damien’s leadership, DUAL expanded across the Asia Pacific region. It now has offices across Australia and New Zealand with the business exceeding $365m in GWP. Beyond DUAL, Damien is a passionate advocate for mental health. As a Mental Health Ambassador and partner of the Black Dog Institute, he’s shared his personal journey with depression with over 10,000 people. By raising awareness, breaking stigmas and sharing the clinically proven approaches that have supported his own positive mental health, he aims to inspire others to prioritise theirs.

John was appointed CEO of DUAL North America in October 2021. John is responsible for leading DUAL North America’s management and underwriting teams’ growth and profitability, along with driving strategic vision for the company.
Prior to his current role, John was with Align Financial Holdings, LLC where he was Group President and President of Catalytic Risk Managers and Align General. Prior to joining Catalytic, he spent five years managing catastrophe programs at ICAT Managers, most recently as the Chief Underwriting Officer/Regional Executive Officer for the Earthquake states and Hawaii.
John graduated from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business with a B.A. in finance.

Marilena Rodriguez is the CEO for Latin America at DUAL Group and a member of the DUAL Group’s Executive Committee. She joined the company in 2024. With over 31 years of industry experience, she began her career as a mechanical engineer - loss adjuster. Marilena spent 12 years at ACE, many of them in Latin American Regional Roles, followed by 10 years at XL Catlin, where she served as Managing Director for Catlin in Colombia and Head of Facultative Business for Latin America. Before joining DUAL, Marilena was the P&C Underwriting Director at AXA Mexico. She enjoys quality time with her family by playing sports like golf and tennis. During vacations, she loves to travel the world, exploring different countries, meeting people, and experiencing diverse cultures.

Olaf was appointed CEO, DUAL Europe in 2022 and is responsible for leading DUAL Europe’s management and underwriting teams’ growth and profitability, along with driving strategic vision across 13 countries. Olaf is also a member of the DUAL Group Executive Committee. He joined DUAL in 2011 as an underwriter and held several roles, including Head of Underwriting, before he was appointed MD of DUAL Deutschland in 2019. Olaf started his insurance career with Winterthur in 2002 and also worked at Creditreform responsible for rating companies. Olaf studied Business Administration at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne.

Simon McGinn is CEO for DUAL UK and joined the company in January 2024. He is responsible for helping to drive ambitious growth plans for DUAL’s UK business.
Simon brings 31 years’ experience in the industry having joined Commercial Union as a graduate in 1992. He has worked in a variety of roles predominantly in the UK General Insurance market at Aviva and Allianz.
He took on a number of different responsibilities at Executive level during his 19 years at Allianz including Trading Director for the North & Midlands, General Manager for the Commercial & Personal businesses and most recently CEO Allianz Commercial, as well as being part of the UK PLC Board.
Outside of work, he is a passionate rugby follower having played and coached but now supporting just as enthusiastically.