Gallagher CEO Steps Down

Gallagher announced on LinkedIn that the group’s CEO and executive director, Kahl Betham, will step down from his position at the end of the fiscal year, on March 31, 2027.
Betham joined Gallagher in 1997 as a software engineer. Since 2015, he has led Gallagher’s global security business. He became group deputy CEO in 2019, then group CEO in 2021.
For the next nine months, while Betham continues in his position, Gallagher will not change its strategies or priorities. Both Gallagher Security and Gallagher Animal Management will continue to be led by their chief executives: Mark Junge and Rob Clayton. respectively.
Board Chair Steve Tucker, who has been involved with the company in various roles for more than 30 years, celebrates Kahl’s significant contribution to Gallagher.
“Kahl is a strong leader who has led the company through a period of rapid growth and remarkable outcomes for our people, customers and business,” said Steve Tucker, board chair, Gallagher. “The company has an excellent values-led culture, and there’s a real sense of pride in the impact our technology is having globally. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the Gallagher team all around the world working to protect what matters most.”
Betham added, “It has been an absolute honor and privilege to lead Gallagher, including through some of the tough economic conditions of recent years. We’ve grown NZ$142 million over the past year alone, which is a 33% increase. It really is thanks to our people globally that we’re seeing this hockey stick growth and swimming against the economic tide. So while this is a really hard decision, after almost 30 years with Gallagher and the company in such great shape, it feels like the right time, especially while my children are still young.
“I’m also excited about the new opportunities this opens,” Betham continued. “Those who know me well will know I’m extremely passionate about building New Zealand’s technology sector, and this move will allow me time to invest in and support some of New Zealand’s up and coming tech companies. The business is almost 90 years old and our commitment to innovation means Gallagher is well placed to continue protecting what matters most for customers all around the world. I remain fully committed to leading the business through the remainder of FY27.”
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