People Moves: Aon Commercial Risk Promotes Smaje as Specialty Leader, Transportation & Logistics; MGA Optio Names Deloitte’s Hallett Head of Insurer Partnerships

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at the broker Aon and the MGA Optio Group.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Aon’s Commercial Risk Business Promotes Smaje to Lead Transportation & Logistics

Insurance broker Aon plc announced a leadership transition within its Commercial Risk business, appointing Phil Smaje as Global Industry Specialty leader, Transportation & Logistics, effective Oct. 1, 2025,

He succeeds Lee Meyrick, who will assume the role of chair of a newly created Risk Capital Transportation & Logistics vertical until his retirement at the end of 2026.

Meyrick has served in Global Specialty leadership roles at Aon for the past eight years, following a distinguished career in the industry that included senior positions at XL Catlin and AIG.

Smaje joined Aon in 2023 and currently serves as chief broking officer for Transportation & Logistics. His previous leadership roles include CEO of Aerospace and global head of Broking at WTW and CEO of Piiq Risk Partners.

“These appointments reflect our commitment to recruiting, developing and promoting exceptional talent,” said Joe Peiser, CEO of Commercial Risk. “Phil brings deep market expertise and a strong track record of leadership. I’m confident he will continue to elevate our Transportation & Logistics offering and deliver outstanding value to our clients.”

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Specialty MGA Optio Appoints Deloitte’s Hallett as Head of Insurer Partnerships

Optio Group, the London-based specialty MGA, announced the appointment of Carrie-Ann Hallett as head of insurer partnerships, effective immediately.

She will be based in London and report to chief underwriting officer Gary Head.

Hallett joins from Deloitte, where she was instrumental in helping numerous clients achieve their strategic goals through large-scale underwriting transformations and became a recognized specialist in the delegated authority landscape.

Before her time at Deloitte, she began her career at Hiscox, gaining valuable experience in a variety of underwriting and operational roles across different business units and distribution channels. Her appointment comes as part of the wider Optio strategy and ambition to deliver consistent underwriting profit for Optio’s insurer partners.

Topics Carriers Commercial Lines Excess Surplus Business Insurance Leadership Insurance Wholesale Trucking Aon