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EC News (14 May 2020)

  • Publish Date: Posted almost 4 years ago
  • Author:by Alan Jarque

Round-up of the weekly news and developments from the global (re)insurance market with stories from Arch Insurance International, Nexus Group, Ed and more.

Arch promotes Simon Williams to chief strategy & distribution officer

Arch Insurance International has announced the promotion of Simon Williams to the newly created role of chief strategy & distribution officer.

In his new role, Williams will have oversight of the generation and implementation of strategies designed to support business growth.

He will also assist in the alignment and development of the firm’s strategic objectives across the business, including underwriting, distribution, business development, marketing and communications.

Williams has over three decades of industry experience, having joined Arch Insurance International in 2018 as senior vice president, strategy and distribution.

Prior to that, he spent 22 years at Hiscox, most recently as a partner and head of marine & energy and wordings.

Hugh Sturgess, president & chief executive officer, Arch Insurance International, said: “Our decision to establish this role reflects the considerable growth — both organic and through acquisition — that has been achieved by Arch Insurance International in recent years.”

Adding: “It is vital that we achieve strategic alignment across our activities Simon is a clear fit for this role given his previous experience and his pivotal contribution to our acquisition of Barbican Group Holdings Limited in 2018.”

“I am confident that he and the team will play a central role in helping to set our strategic direction and support our continued growth.”

Peter Slot joins Nexus Group as managing director, Accident & Health

Acquisitive insurance intermediary, Nexus Group adds Peter Slot as managing director for a newly created Nexus Accident & Health unit within Nexus Underwriting (NUL).

In his new role with NUL he will work the firms existing Group companies, Millstream Underwriting (corporate & consumer Loss of Licence, PA, Sickness & Travel) and Nexus Re (PA treaty reinsurance), and to lead Nexus Accident & Health, a new unit created to build a diverse, global A&H account that complements our current lines of business.

Slot joins Nexus from Aspen Insurance Group where she most recently held the position as global head of accident & health where he was responsible for an $80mn GWP book of business. Prior to that, he held multiple senior positions within the insurance industry, including head of accident & health for Beazley in the US and regional underwriting manager, A&H UK and Ireland for AIG.

Colin Thompson, group CEO, said: “We are delighted that someone of Peter’s experience and calibre has decided to join Nexus. Peter is a global market leading underwriter in the A&H class and will bring unique expertise, relationships and product innovation to the Group.”

Peter Slot added: “I am really excited to be joining the Nexus team and working with such a talented and successful group of people. The company's focus on service, innovation and profitable business as well as its global reach make it an ideal platform for the development and growth of a truly international A&H business, adding value by offering flexibility and bespoke solutions to our brokers and clients across a wide range of products and services.”

Ed expands downstream energy team with the appointment of Brett Hatton

Global reinsurance, wholesale and specialty broker, Ed has announced the appointment of Brett Hatton as divisional director, downstream energy, effective September 2020.

Based in London, Hatton will report to Jon Parker, who leads the downstream energy team.

Hatton brings 24 years of industry experience, 18 of which has been spent in downstream energy. He joins Ed from Marsh JLT Specialty where he most recently served as senior vice president and previously led the downstream broking team.

Parker shared: "In these challenging times, offering specialist expertise to our clients is more important than ever. Brett is an impressive addition to our energy team and his expansive knowledge will be key in our continued ability to supply the advice and support that our clients have come to rely on. His experience in placing and servicing global onshore production facilities will certainly enhance our current capabilities and client service. I am delighted to welcome Brett to the Ed team."

AEGIS London strengthens executive team with two new hires

AEGIS London has appointed Katie Wade as chief financial officer and Rhic Webb to the newly created role of general counsel and company secretary later this year, both reporting to David Croom-Johnson, managing director.

Wade most recently served as group CFO with insurer ERS. She began her career in audit in the mid-1990s, she held senior finance roles with ACE Tempest Re, Aspen Insurance and then ERS from 2013.

Webb joins the business from AXA XL, where he was most recently general counsel – global corporate, responsible for Europe, Asia and Latin America as well as for all corporate legal, company secretary and governance matters.

Croom-Johnson, said: “AEGIS London has developed a new business model over the last three to four years, combining traditional London market underwriting with new methods of digital distribution,”

“The result has been top quartile Lloyd’s performance and a pronounced evolution in our approach to underwriting. That change has opened our eyes to new possibilities.

“In recognition of our growth and evolution as a forward-thinking syndicate, Katie and Rhic’s experience and knowledge will add a necessary broader perspective to our executive team and our business as a whole.

“Their skills and insights will allow us to realise our vision of the modern, diverse business AEGIS London is becoming.”

Everest Insurance names Sujal Patel as UK head of transactional risk

Everest Insurance, a division of Bermuda based (re)insurer has announced the appointment of Sujal Patel as UK head of transactional risk for Everest Global Markets.

The (re)insurer’s Global Markets unit includes Everest Insurance Ireland, DAC, and Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 2786.

Patel brings more than 10 years of industry experience to Everest, all in the transactional risk, M&A and underwriting space. He most recently served as an M&A Manager at AIG Europe Limited, AIG UK Limited, and AIG Europe S.A. Prior to AIG, Patel worked at Hyperion Insurance Group Limited as a Legal Counsel and has also previously held an associate, trainee solicitor and paralegal position at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Christian Colombera, head of financial lines at Everest Global Markets, commented: “Everest Global Markets continued to expand our Financial Lines capabilities, and Sujal’s ten plus years of transactional risk and M&A experience, coupled with his underwriting talent, make him the right person to lead our growth in that space.”

Robert Clark, global head, Alternative Solutions Group at Everest Insurance®, added: “The addition of Sujal to our Global Transactional Risk team is a significant next step as we continue to build our global capabilities. This enhances our ability to meet the needs of our clients, especially given the cross border nature of their businesses. I am excited to have someone of Sujal’s experience joining the team.”

Liberty Specialty Markets bolsters its claims team with new appointments

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has promoted Gavin Coley to London head of specialty claims and Kevin Miller joins as the Energy, Property and Construction Technical claims lead, both effective immediately.

Coley will continue to lead this team as part of his new role and report to Mike Gillett, chief claims officer, LSM. He joined the business over a year ago and prior to that, he worked in the London Market for many years holding various senior roles within the specialty market.

He takes over from Scott Kellers who covered the role on an interim basis for the past year. Kellers will remain with the business as head of syndicate claims and deputy head of Liberty Specialty Markets Group claims.

Miller joins from AIG, where he was major loss claims adjuster. He brings over 30 years’ experience in the London Market, having handled some of the most challenging Energy and Property London market losses in recent years. Miller will report to Gavin Coley.

Gillett commented: “Since joining LSM Gavin has proved himself to be very capable and his promotion is well deserved.  Kevin is a market-leading practitioner in Energy, Property and Construction claims. He brings a wealth of experience and technical capability to the role. His appointment reflects the continued focus of the claims team on having outstanding technical capability that underpins our claims service.”

Markel appoints Joanne Healy as professional indemnity underwriter

Specialist insurer Markel International has announced the appointment of Joanne Healy as professional indemnity (PI) and telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) underwriter, in its London office.

In her new role, Healy will be working with the professional indemnity and TMT team on the servicing and development of the existing portfolio as well as helping to drive new initiatives. She will report the Bhavik Desai, head of professional indemnity and TMT.

She brings over five years’ experience in the professional lines market and joins Markel from Acappella Syndicate 2014 and Hamilton Agency, where she served as UK and international professional lines underwriter.

Desai commented: “We are delighted to have Jo join Markel.  She is a great addition to our PI and TMT team and brings with her a strong network and a wealth of experience in the sector.”