CONNECTING TALENT

EC News (20 February 2020)

Round-up of the weekly news and developments from the global (re)insurance market with stories from Chubb, Aspen, Pacific Life Re and more. Chubb appoints Xavier Florit as regional head of corporate, A&H Global insurer Chubb announced the appointment of Xavier Florit as its regional head of corporate, accident and health (A&H) for Continental Europe. Florit joined Chubb in 2016 and was previously head of A&H for France. Prior to that, he held multiple roles within the insurance industry working for both brokers and insurers. He will replace Arjen van Dun who has left the business. In his new role, he will have overall responsibility for the leadership, strategy and execution of the firm’s Corporate A&H division in the region. He will continue to be based in Chubb’s Paris office and report to Florian Eisele who was recently appointed director of Accident & Health for Continental Europe. Florian Eisele, director of Accident and Health, Continental Europe, Chubb said: "I am delighted that we have appointed Xavier to this important role. His knowledge, insights and understanding will help shape our A&H business across Continental Europe as we continue to drive growth." Crystal Ottaviano joins Aspen as group chief risk officer Bermuda based (re)insurer named Crystal Ottaviano as its new group chief risk officer, effective 2 March 2020. Ottaviano will report to Mark Cloutier, executive chairman and group chief executive officer at Aspen. She joins Aspen from Swiss Re America where she held the position of chief risk officer since October 2013 where she was responsible for independent oversight of the reinsurer’s P&C reinsurance business in the region. Before this, she served as senior vice president, operational risk management at Swiss Re, with responsibility for the operational risk management framework for the Americas. Prior to Swiss Re, she worked at global (re)insurer Hiscox as head of risk management where she developed the risk management strategy for the U.S. specialty insurance business. Mark Cloutier commented: “Crystal is a highly experienced financial services professional who has led diverse teams to new levels of success in fast-paced environments. I am delighted to welcome her to Aspen in this key role for our business. Her proven ability to understand business needs and challenges, coupled with her excellent experience developing financial and risk management strategies, make her a valuable addition to our strong leadership team.” Vincent Lepez joins Pacific Life Re Europe as managing director as Darren Spriggs steps down Pacific Life Re has announced that Darren Spriggs will step down as managing director of its Europe operation and be replaced by Vincent Lepez, effective August 2020. Spriggs has been with the business for nearly four years and has assisted in driving the Pacific Life Re Europe forward in the protection and longevity markets. Lepez joins from SCOR where he has held multiple roles within the last seven years including global chief pricing actuary and most recently head of Asia, continental Europe and Latin America markets. Spriggs commented: “Pacific Life Re has been a great opportunity and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here working with the very talented Europe team. We’ve achieved a lot together over the past four years and I believe they are well set for further future growth. Nonetheless, the time has come for me to step down as Managing Director and I’m looking forward to my next challenge.” Dave Howell, Pacific Life Re, CEO, commented: “I’d like to thank Darren for his hard work and dedication to Pacific Life Re and I look forward to working with Vincent, building on the strong foundations that Darren has put in place for the Europe business unit. Vincent brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and I’m pleased to be welcoming him to Pacific Life Re.” Lepez commented: “Having worked in the life insurance industry for the last 10 years, I have seen Pacific Life Re grow over time into the successful global business that it is today. I am very excited to be joining the talented Pacific Life Re team.” Inga Beale appointed to Crawford & Company’s board of directors Crawford & Company, the independent provider of claims management and outsourcing solutions to carriers, brokers and corporates announced the election of Dame Inga Beale to its board of directors to serve as an independent director, effective 11 February 2020. Beale previously served as the CEO of Lloyd’s of London where she held this position for five years before stepping down in 2018. She was the first female CEO of Lloyd’s during a 325-year history. She began her career within the industry at Prudential Assurance Company in London as a trained underwriter with a specialist focus of international treaty reinsurance. She also worked for General Electric’s insurance division for 14 years where she held numerous management and leadership roles. Beale then headed Swiss reinsurer Converium and in 2008 joined Zurich Insurance Group as a member of the management board. In 2009 she was appointed Zurich’s global chief underwriting officer. From 2012-2013 she served as group CEO of Lloyd’s insurer Canopius. Harsha V. Agadi, president and CEO of Crawford & Company, said: “Inga brings an array of international insurance carrier experience that will positively impact Crawford strategy going forward. She will provide insights, counsel and perspectives that will complement those of the existing board members and from which Crawford will benefit. I look forward to partnering with Inga as we continue to deliver on our mission of restoring and enhancing lives, business and communities across the globe.” Charlie Ogburn, non-executive chairman of the Crawford & Company board, stated: “With the election of Dame Inga, Crawford now has three female directors on its nine-strong board and proudly joins other leading companies who have taken the important step of having at least three female directors.” New Dawn Risk adds Rachel Cohen as senior treaty broker New Dawn Risk Group Limited, the independent international specialist intermediary announced the appointment of Rachel Cohen as senior treaty broker. Cohen brings over 10 years of underwriting experience in the casualty reinsurance sector both internationally and in the UK. She joins New Dawn Risk from Barbican Syndicate at Lloyd’s 1955 where she most recently served as a class underwriter of international casualty treaty. Max Carter, CEO, commented: “Over the last decade we have built a robust treaty business and a strong offering in multiple markets. As we embark on the next phase of growth, Rachel’s appointment helps to further strengthen our team and ensure that we can offer cedants an even more valuable proposition.” Berkshire (BHSI) names new head of customer & broker engagement in Germany Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced the expansion of its European team in appointing Daniel Weinmann as head of customer and broker engagement in Germany. Based in Munich, Weinmann joins BHSI with over 2 decades of insurance industry experience. He most recently held the role of head of sales for Germany at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. Andreas Krause, country manager for Germany, BHSI said: “With our broad range of products, financial strength and excellent service, BHSI brings a strong value proposition to the European marketplace. We are pleased to have Daniel, with his extensive experience and industry knowledge, delivering this value and expanding BHSI’s relationships with customers as well as global and domestic brokers in Germany.”