Profile
MaryKate Townsend is the head of market development for Lloyd’s in Canada and market development executive for the Americas. She supports strategic relationships with Lloyd’s stakeholders, including coverholders, underwriters, and brokers while expanding access to the Lloyd’s market for insurance partners across Canada. She also delivers Lloyd’s commercial strategy, broadening its footprint and strengthening its market position through collaborative partnerships across Canada, the US and the Americas.
For nearly a decade, Townsend held the role of vice president for the Central Canada region at a Canadian MGA, where she further developed her leadership expertise. Throughout her insurance career, she has also served as a CEO and principal broker. She earned the CAIB designation and, as part of the inaugural graduating class, received the Top Graduate Award from the Southwestern Ontario chapter of the Insurance Institute of Canada while completing her CMGA designation.
Townsend is the past president of CAMGA, the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents. During her two years as an executive board member, she championed education and advocacy to advance the delegated authority sector and strengthen collaboration among industry peers and partners. She has also served in various leadership roles with the London Insurance Brokers Association (LIBA), including president and chair, and has been an industry ambassador for the Insurance Institute of Canada.
Known to many as MK, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. She remains closely connected to her hometown community as the founder of the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition. In addition, she serves on the steering committee of the Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition.
551 Ridgecrest Dr, Madison, MS 39110
888 823 3567
casmith@higginbotham.net
linkedin.com/in/calebsmith2
higginbotham.com
MaryKate Townsend
Head of Market Development
Lloyd’s
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Bio
Milestones
2016–2018
2018–2023
2024
2024–2026
2022–present
Financial Analyst, Worldwide Commercial Operations and Global Marketing at Align Technology: developed business cases and financial models for new products and global marketing initiatives; helped launch the Advantage Doctor Loyalty Program; managed a $60M marketing budget with less than 2% variance
2016–2018
Vice President, Corporate Development at Refuge Group: led portfolio restructuring, including 12 acquisitions and divestitures; enhanced profitability and stability; structured strategic partnership with Higginbotham
2018–2023
Director, Program Development at Higginbotham: created Fortress Affinity Management, Higginbotham’s affinity distribution and program platform
2024
Managing Director, Program Development at Fortress Affinity Management (Higginbotham): scaled specialty insurance platforms through proprietary distribution, technology, and product development; founding board member of via by Higginbotham
2024–2026
Managing Director at Euclid Transactional
2022–present
Milestones
“By focusing on doing the best possible job for every client, they naturally tell their friends and family. That organic growth has been very rewarding”
Alan Borthwick,
DUX Financial Services
“Our goal is not to speed up transactions but to slow down where it matters, taking the time to truly understand each client’s situation and deliver thoughtful, personalised guidance”
Alan Borthwick,
DUX Financial Services
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