Alex Barnes

Alex Barnes

  • Insurance Audit Partner (co-head of Insurance for BDO International) (United Kingdom)  
  • 25+ years experience 

"My commitment to your group is that I will be readily available to the BDO SA team throughout the engagement. I will bring significant international experience to all aspects of the engagement and ensure that all team members are kept informed of any matters which need to be addressed timeously. "


Alex is head of insurance audit at BDO UK and is co-Head of Insurance for the BDO network. He has provided external audit, internal audit and advisory services to the insurance industry for over 25 years. 

During this time, he has worked with International and UK insurers, Lloyd’s Syndicates, MGAs, insurance brokers and mutual insurers. He joined BDO as a part of the BDO-Moore Stephens merger. 

Relevant experience includes:

External audit services for a range of US owned insurance groups including CNA Hardy, CV Starr Group and Berkshire Hathaway entities. Alex is a US licensed audit partner.

External audit services to personal lines insurers including Ageas and entities in the Allianz Group.

External audit services to Lloyd’s Syndicates.

Significant experience leading transitions from BIG4 to BDO, such as Ageas,  CNA Hardy and working closely with group auditors.

Largest Financial Services clients serviced:

  • UKP&I
  • Ageas Insurance Limited 
  • Fairmead Insurance (Allianz)
  • North Standard
  • Motor Insurers Bureau

Group / Multinational audit experience

  • Leads the UK audit work for a variety of insurance groups including: 
  • Leading the group audit of P&I insurance groups where audit work is carried out in global locations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Netherlands, Bermuda and the US.
  • UK External audit services for a range of US owned insurance groups including CNA Hardy, CV Starr Group and Berkshire Hathaway entities. Alex is a US licenced audit partner.
  • Leading UK audit work for international personal lines insurers including Ageas and entities in the Allianz Group.

Qualifications and professional affiliations 

  • Chartered Accountant, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland 
  • M.A., Economics, St Andrews University, United Kingdom