Third Wave Insurance names Awan Sikri as CIO

Third Wave Insurance, the TPG-backed retail brokerage platform, has appointed veteran technology executive Awan Sikri as chief information officer as the company expands across the Southeast. The hire comes as Third Wave adds insurance and advisory firms in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida and builds its technology stack for scale.

Why it matters: - Third Wave Insurance is adding technology leadership as it scales its brokerage platform and integrates new acquisitions. - The CIO role is central to internal business technology, transformation and the company’s next phase of growth.

What happened: - Third Wave Insurance named Awan Sikri as chief information officer on September 29, 2026. - Sikri will report to Chief Executive Officer Paul Vredenburg. - Sikri will be responsible for driving internal business technology and transformation. - Third Wave is backed by TPG, a global alternative asset management firm.

The details: - Sikri brings more than 25 years of experience leading technology strategy and operations in financial services. - His background spans emerging technologies, enterprise infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, application development and information governance. - Vredenburg said Sikri has a strong track record of building modern technology environments and that his leadership will support innovation across Third Wave. - Third Wave launched in January 2026 with Palmer & Cay as its flagship retail business. - Third Wave recently announced agreements to acquire five insurance and advisory firms across Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. - Those acquisitions are intended to deepen the company’s Southeast footprint and expand capabilities in employee benefits, commercial property and casualty insurance, self-funded healthcare administration, retirement planning and wealth advisory services. - Third Wave says the company was founded to challenge the status quo, invest in people and standardize execution. - Third Wave’s producer-focused model is designed to give client-facing teams more clarity, speed and support. - The company’s website is Third Wave Insurance. - TPG says it manages $327 billion in assets and invests across private equity, impact, credit, real estate and market solutions.

Between the lines: - The hire signals that Third Wave is treating technology as a core operating priority, not a back-office function. - The acquisition strategy suggests Third Wave is building a regional platform quickly, which increases the need for stronger systems, governance and integration. - The move also fits a broader pattern for insurance rollups: growth depends on combining local relationships with shared infrastructure.

What's next: - Sikri is expected to lead the technology buildout needed to support Third Wave’s expansion and acquisitions. - More integration work should follow as the company folds additional firms into its platform. - Third Wave will likely keep investing in systems that can support a larger geographic footprint and broader product set.