IBM has lured four experts from Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, the consultancy firm, to strengthen its insurance, life and pensions business.

The new team, to be based in London, will be headed by Shaun Crawford, previously vice-president and head of the insurance sector at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, who becomes director of insurance services. Prior to joining Cap Gemini, where he worked for six years, Crawford was at NatWest, where he launched NatWest Life.