LendingTree has announced a key leadership update as part of its ongoing focus on operational excellence and long-term growth. The company has promoted Ian Smith to Chief Operating Officer, while Laura Nelson steps into the role of Head of Insurance.
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Ian Smith takes on the COO role after serving as Senior Vice President of Insurance, where he built a disciplined operating model that helped scale LendingTree’s insurance marketplace. In his new position, Smith will oversee day-to-day operations across the entire organization, extending the operational rigor he established in insurance to LendingTree’s lending and broader business lines.
Laura Nelson, previously Senior Vice President of Sales, will now lead LendingTree’s insurance marketplace. She brings deep experience in revenue growth, partner relationships, and team leadership, and will be responsible for driving strategy, performance, and continued innovation across the insurance business.
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“Ian has built a strong operating system within our insurance business, and this move allows him to bring that same discipline and expertise across lending and the broader organization,” said Scott Peyree, Chief Executive Officer of LendingTree. “Laura has been a driving force behind our sales performance, and her leadership experience and understanding of our partners make her the right choice to lead insurance into its next chapter.”
Smith originally joined QuoteWizard in 2005 and helped grow it into one of the leading online insurance comparison platforms in the U.S. Following LendingTree’s acquisition of QuoteWizard, he played a key role in integrating the business and strengthening LendingTree’s position in the insurtech space. Nelson, meanwhile, has led high-performing sales teams and major revenue initiatives, making her a natural fit to guide the insurance marketplace forward.
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“These leadership changes reflect the strength of our internal talent and our commitment to building a scalable, high-performing organization,” Peyree added. “Ian and Laura are proven leaders, and their expanded roles position us well for continued growth.”
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