Promotions in Aon’s Birmingham Commercial Risk team

Image caption: Lyndsay Cole & Samuel Jokonya

Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm in Colmore Business District, has announced a senior promotion and an international transfer in its Birmingham Commercial Risk team.

Lyndsay Cole, who has over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, was promoted a year ago to client director with a remit to support clients within the waste management and renewable energy sectors. She has now been promoted again and assumes the role of client management director. 

Lyndsay is taking on a more strategic role, balancing direct client engagement with team leadership, while actively supporting Aon’s wider business objectives. Her involvement in Aon’s NexCo programme – a group of Aon’s most promising next generation of leaders – has offered her opportunities to work directly with the Commercial Risk Executive Committee. 

Lyndsay said: “While my client base largely remains the same, – which I am delighted about – I am really looking forward to getting more involved in coaching and developing the team around me. Last year, when I received my promotion, I mentioned that getting my teeth into complex issues in fast-paced sectors is something that I really enjoy, and I hope to share some of that enthusiasm with my colleagues so that our clients always benefit from the highest level of service. 

“I am also getting more involved in business development which will allow me to develop my skills further.”

Aon’s Commercial Risk team in Birmingham has also recently welcomed Samuel Jokonya who has joined the team in a client service adviser role having amassed over two decades of experience in the African insurance market, the last 11 years of which have been with Aon in South Africa. 

Samuel said: “Having built my career with global businesses like Aon, I have been fully aware of its global reach and knew I’d like to benefit from exposure to other international insurance markets. Two of my Aon colleagues in South Africa pursued opportunities with the business in London and in New York – and that inspired me to seek out my own role elsewhere at Aon.

“Having considered a range of options – the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – a trip to the UK in 2024 gave me the opportunity to find out more about Aon’s operations here. Further research, and reviewing my personal family needs, led me to identify either the Midlands or the north of England as the ideal location. Thankfully this role at Aon in Birmingham presented itself at just the right time.”

Chris Barley, head of office for Commercial Risk at Aon in Birmingham, said: “Lyndsay Cole’s passion for her work is infectious, so it made absolute sense to promote her again, given the positive impact she has on both those around her and the clients she serves. She thoroughly deserves this promotion and has, I believe, a very bright future in our Commercial Risk team.

“Samuel Jokonya has brought a new energy to the team and has shown his passion to learn as much as possible about the UK Commercial Risk market. His attention to detail is admirable and I’m sure we’ll all learn some valuable things from him too. Having the opportunity to work with Aon colleagues from different international markets is one of the many benefits of working for a business with such a wide geographical reach.”