UK: Specialist insurtech provider Pikl has expanded its senior leadership team with the appointment of Steve McGuinness as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and James Everett as Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), as the company accelerates its growth in the short-term rental insurance market.
The appointments mark a key milestone in Pikl’s evolution, following the launch of its B2B business in 2023 targeting the vacation rental sector. Both new hires bring extensive industry experience and will play a central role in scaling the business to meet increasing demand.
Steve McGuinness joins Pikl from senior executive roles at Saga, Auto & General, Chubb, and RBS. In his new role as COO, he will oversee day-to-day operations, focusing on organisational design, performance, risk management, and delivering on Pikl’s strategic growth ambitions.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Pikl team on what promises to be a very exciting next few years for the business,” McGuinness said. “Innovation and speed to market are going to be key disciplines in our armoury, and I hope my experience will help the company realise its undoubted potential.”
James Everett previously served as Deputy Head of Underwriting at Canopius Group and has deep expertise across the London and specialty markets, particularly in vacation rental and holiday let insurance. As CUO, he will lead Pikl’s capacity, pricing, and underwriting strategy. “This is a pivotal moment in Pikl’s evolution, with significant demand for our products,” Everett said. “My focus will be on creating the right capacity and delegated authority structures to support our growth and deliver tailored solutions to the market.”
Commenting on the new appointments, Pikl CEO and founder Louise Birritteri said: “I am very pleased to welcome Steve and James to the Pikl leadership team. The next few years are set to be ones of rapid growth for us as we deliver new partnerships, expand our markets and capitalise on the significant demand we are seeing for our products.
Founded to meet the unique insurance needs of the vacation rental market, Pikl provides specialist cover for short-term rental hosts, platforms, and property managers.
