Round-up of the weekly news and developments from the global (re)insurance market with stories from Gallagher Re, Lockton Re, AXIS Re and more.
Gallagher Re announced the appointment of Jerry Blake as partner
Specialist reinsurance broker, Capsicum Re announced the appointment of Jerry Blake as partner within Gallagher Re, effective September 2021.
The company announced earlier this month that Capsicum Re will rebrand and operate under the name Gallagher Re with effect from 1 October 2020 to align its reinsurance business with the broader retail and wholesale insurance broking arm.
Blake joins the firm from Aon where he has held multiple senior broking positions during his 34 years with the company.
Rupert Swallow, CEO of Capsicum Re, said: “Hiring the best people into our expanding business is a core part of our strategy, so we are delighted that the prospect of joining Gallagher Re is proving to have such huge appeal to major industry talent such as Jerry. His experience, expertise and reputation in the market all speaks to why we see Jerry as a stellar addition to our growing team and I look forward to welcoming him into Gallagher Re.”
Ben Firshein to join Lockton Re’s International P&C division
Lockton Re, the reinsurance arm of insurance broker Lockton, has announced that Ben Firshein will be joining its International Property and Casualty (P&C) division.
In his new role, he will be based in the London office, reporting to Carla Moffett, head of International P&C.
Firshein joins from Gen Re where he most recently served as head of specialty, having joined Gen Re in 2007 as an underwriter. He has held a number of senior casualty underwriting positions during his 13 year career, with a particular focus on treaty, facultative and programs business.
Carla Moffett, said: “Ben is a great addition to our International P&C team here in London. The team has continued to build out as we have found our differentiated approach has attracted both new clients and key hires. Ben’s experience and expertise will also enhance our existing global P&C capability as we work seamlessly and collaboratively with our colleagues in North America. Our focus is on pushing the reinsurance industry forward with an unmatched commitment to client service, creative thinking and ground breaking technology.”
Keith Harrison, International CEO, Lockton Re, added: “We are continuing to attract the best market talent on both sides of the Atlantic and now have over 140 colleagues globally. Building teams with broad capability and experience provides clients with a fully rounded perspective and longer term strategic solutions. Ben’s enthusiasm, technical expertise and collaborative drive and energy mean he is a fantastic addition to our culture and continued growth. We look forward to welcoming Ben to our expanded team.”
AXIS Re promotes Camilo Rodriguez to head of International Credit & Surety, Global Markets
AXIS Re, the reinsurance arm of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited has announced the promotion of Camilo Rodriguez to head of International Credit & Surety within its Global Markets division.
In his new role, he will remain in the company’s Zurich, Switzerland office and report to Ann Haugh, president of Global Markets.
Rodriguez first joined the firm in 2012 as vice president underwriter for credit and bond. Most recently, he served as credit & bond head of Latin America where he was responsible for strategic planning and underwriting within the region.
Prior to joining AXIS, he was based in Columbia where he held several managerial positions in the surety space for the Compania Mundial de Seguros and underwriter and reinsurance roles in Sefuros Confianza.
Commenting on his promotion, Haugh said: “Camilo has been a vital member of the Global Markets team. His knowledge and expertise in the space makes him the perfect choice for the Head of International Credit & Surety. We are excited to see him take on this leadership role in AXIS Re.”
Catalina adds new CEOs for Swiss & Bermuda firms
Bermuda-based legacy space specialist Catalina Holdings has announced the appointments of Claudia Ingenhoven as CEO of Glacier Re and Sarah Ruberry as CEO of Catalina General.
Ingenhoven will take over as CEO of the Swiss subsidiary from 19 August 2020, replacing Martin Kauer, who has held the role since 2011.
Meanwhile, Ruberry will take up her position at Catalina’s flagship Bermuda-based reinsurer from early November.
Ingenhoven most recently served as chief financial officer of ipitiQ EMEA P&C, Swiss Re’s pan-European white-label P&C insurer.
Prior to her time at Swiss Re, she spent over a decade in the run-off arena in a variety of roles with AXA Liabilities Managers, including group CFO, head of M&A Integration and CEO of AXA LM Switzerland.
She replaces Kauer who has moved to Singapore where he is now CEO of Asia Capital Re (ACR), Catalina’s most recent strategic acquisition.
Ruberry is a Bermuda resident and joins the business from the specialty insurer StarStone, where she was chief risk officer (CRO) of the US and Bermuda operations.
Ruberry succeeds Gary Haase, Catalina’s group chief operating officer, who has held the position since 2017 and will remain a director of CatGen going forward.
Chris Fagan, chief executive of Catalina said: “The appointments of Claudia and Sarah mark important steps in the development of our Swiss and Bermudian operations. I am confident that they will be excellent successors to Martin and Gary, who I would like to thank personally for their standout contributions to Glacier Re and Catalina General respectively.”
Dominic Riley joins Lockton Re to lead aviation & aerospace practice
Lockton Re has announced that Dominic Riley has been appointed to lead its aviation and aerospace practice in London, effective early next year.
Riley joins the business from Guy Carpenter where he most recently served within its aviation team having joined there as part of the MMC acquisition of JLT in 2019.
He started his career in Underwriting at Syndicate 957, he then went on to work on the Broker side working at Cooper Gay as well as previously at Lockton and JLT.
Harrison, CEO International, Lockton Re, said: “Lockton Re’s Specialty capability is a key part of our offering and Dom brings both breadth of experience and expert Aviation market knowledge. With over 20 years in the London Market he is a great addition to the team. We are delighted to be able to attract such a high calibre of new colleagues and look forward to working with Dom in the New Year.”
Adding: “Dom will be working closely with Graham Barden who we recently announced will be joining Lockton Re. Together they will use their deep expertise to provide our growing client base with exceptional service.”
Aston Lark acquires Lloyd’s broker, Brunel Professions
Chartered insurance broker Aston Lark has announced the acquisition of Lloyd’s broker Brunel Professions.
Established in 2005, Brunel Professionals is one of the UK’s fastest growing Professional Indemnity Insurance Brokers.
Specialising in PII, D&O and Cyber Insurance, they also provide an in-house specialist claims handling and risk management service.
Peter Blanc, Aston Lark group CEO, said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Brunel Professions to the Aston Lark family, and very much looking forward to working with Dylan and the team. Brunel Professions is one of the leading Professional Indemnity brokers in the UK with a truly impressive track record of growth. This acquisition brings an exciting new dimension to Aston Lark’s current business and strengthens our London Market and Specialty capability, as well as brings new regional offices into the group in Manchester, Bristol and Perth. We will look to support the Brunel team as they continue their growth in the fast-moving Professional Indemnity market.”
Russell Lane, Brunel Professions CEO, added: “Having started Brunel Professions over 15 years ago, it has been an incredible journey and one which would not have been possible without the support of the senior management team, colleagues both current and past, insurers and long-standing client support. The business has been hugely successful over many years, and the memories will live long in the memory bank.
“It was very refreshing listening to Aston Lark and their future plans, and from the moment I met with Peter and Stuart I knew it was a perfect fit. The businesses share similar beliefs in how clients should be serviced, and I am looking forward to watching from outside of the camp, the future success of Brunel Professions. I have no doubt under the safe stewardship of Dylan and Aston Lark, the future is bright, and the business will go from strength to strength.”
Dylan Hughes, Brunel Professions MD, said: “I am delighted to be teaming up with Aston Lark and confident in our strategic decision to drive our business forward. Brunel has had an incredible 15-year journey. The thriving business we are today has been made possible through the hard work of excellent staff and support received from senior management, our markets and clients. I believe joining the Aston Lark group will be a great fit for Brunel and will only serve to make our future journey even more successful.”
