Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. filed an 8-K press release on November 3, 2026, announcing that Tom Doyle will become CEO of its Benefits & HR Consulting Division effective January 1, 2027, succeeding William F. "Bill" Ziebell, who will retire and transition to Chairman of the division on December 31, 2026.

Key Highlights

  • New CEO named: Tom Doyle, currently President of the Benefits & HR Consulting Division, will assume the CEO role effective January 1, 2027.
  • Predecessor's transition: William F. "Bill" Ziebell will retire as CEO on December 31, 2026, and transition to Chairman of the division.
  • Ziebell's tenure: According to the filing, Ziebell has been with the company for 26 years and is credited with building the Benefits & HR Consulting Division "into the global business it is today."
  • Company scope: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and provides services in approximately 130 countries through owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.
  • Exchange and ticker: The company is listed as NYSE:AJG.

Leadership Transition at Gallagher's Benefits & HR Consulting Division

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) disclosed the planned leadership change in a press release issued from Rolling Meadows, Illinois, on November 3, 2026. According to the filing, Tom Doyle, who currently serves as President of the Benefits & HR Consulting Division, will step into the CEO role at the start of 2027. J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO, was quoted in the release citing Doyle's "strong knowledge of the business, proven ability to bring teams and businesses together and commitment to our clients" as key attributes for the role.

The filing states that outgoing CEO Bill Ziebell will retire from his executive position on December 31, 2026, and move to the role of Chairman of the division. J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. was also quoted acknowledging Ziebell's contributions over 26 years: "His leadership, commitment to our culture and focus on clients have made the business stronger and positioned it well for the future." The company noted it expects to continue benefiting from Ziebell's "experience and counsel" in his new Chairman capacity.

The filing describes Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as "a global insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting services firm" that provides services in approximately 130 countries through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

What Was Disclosed

The filing announced a planned CEO succession within Gallagher's Benefits & HR Consulting Division, with Tom Doyle set to take over from Bill Ziebell on January 1, 2027, and Ziebell moving to a Chairman role effective December 31, 2026.