Tom Doyle to Lead Gallagher's Benefits Division
Doyle takes over as CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.'s benefits and HR consulting division on January 1, 2027, succeeding Bill Ziebell.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has named Tom Doyle CEO of its benefits and HR consulting division effective January 1, 2027. Doyle succeeds Bill Ziebell, who is retiring after 26 years with the firm and will become division chairman.
Why it matters
The leadership change marks a generational transition for a division Ziebell built into a global operation active across approximately 130 countries. It comes as employers increasingly prioritize cost control in their benefits programs.
Gallagher completed the $13.45 billion AssuredPartners acquisition in August 2025, its largest deal to date, lifting combined 2025 revenues to roughly $13.8 billion. The brokerage segment targets around 5.5% organic growth in 2026, though the source does not detail how the division's own revenue will shift under new leadership.
The players
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
A large global insurance brokerage and risk management firm headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, with operations in many countries.
Tom Doyle
A longtime Gallagher executive who has served as division president and will lead its benefits and HR consulting division starting in 2027.
Bill Ziebell
The outgoing division CEO who joined Gallagher in 2000, built the benefits division into a global operation, and is retiring after 26 years.
The details
Doyle has served as division president and spent most of his career inside Gallagher's regional operations before moving to the top role. Ziebell joined Gallagher in 2000 and will remain with the division as chairman while Doyle formally takes over leadership.
Timeline
August 2025: Gallagher completed its $13.45 billion acquisition of AssuredPartners.
January 1, 2027: Tom Doyle becomes CEO of the benefits and HR consulting division, succeeding Bill Ziebell.
Market Landscape
The succession follows Gallagher's $13.45 billion AssuredPartners acquisition in August 2025, the largest deal in the firm's history. It positions the company to lead its benefits business as the combined entity reports roughly $13.8 billion in revenues.
Employers managing benefits costs may see the division's strategy shift under Doyle, as 54% now rank cost reduction as their top priority. Clients of the benefits division should watch for any changes to service and pricing once the new leadership takes over.
The takeaway
A leadership handoff at a major brokerage can signal how a division's priorities will evolve, so employers and partners should track the new CEO's early decisions on pricing and service. Continuity from Ziebell's chairmanship may ease the transition for clients.
What happens next
Doyle formally assumes the division CEO role on January 1, 2027, and Ziebell transitions to chairman at that time.
Further reading
For more on executive moves across the industry, see the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Business.
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