7 People on the Move

Hiscox hires Landon O'Hara, American P&I Club Managers expands their global service team threefold and more in this edition of People on the Move.
By: | September 16, 2019

Johnathan Ritz Named President of Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited announced it’s newly appointed president of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, Jonathan Ritz.

Jonathan Ritz, president, Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

Ritz was formerly Chief Executive Officer of Validus’ U.S. Insurance Operations, which included Western World Insurance Group, Crop Risk Services and Validus Specialty (all acquired by AIG in 2018).  He also served as chief operating officer of Validus Holdings, Ltd.

He is a reinsurance industry veteran of over 25 years.

Prior to Validus, he has held various Chief Underwriting and Operating positions with United America Insurance Group, IFG Companies-Burlington Insurance Group and ICAT Holdings LLC.

Ritz will report to Mark Cloutier, executive chairman and group chief executive officer. This is a newly created role.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to attract such a proven and experienced leader as Jonathan to this important role,” said Cloutier. “His impressive track record and reputation, together with his extensive expertise across the sector, and in a range of disciplines, will add further considerable strength to our senior leadership team.”

“I am delighted to be joining Aspen at such an exciting time in the company’s development. Under Mark’s leadership and Apollo’s ownership, the business is refocusing on its core strengths and I very much look forward to playing a part in its future success,” said Ritz.

Insurity Promotes Chris Lafond to Chief Executive Officer

Insurity, Inc., a cloud-based solutions provider and data analytics for the world’s largest insurers, brokers, and MGAs, today announced the appointment of Chris Lafond as its chief executive officer.

He will succeed Chris Giglio, who will remain on Insurity’s board of directors. Lafond’s appointment is to promote growth and innovation.

Lafond has been with Insurity since 2017, previously serving as the company’s chief financial officer.

“It is with a great deal of excitement that I announce the appointment of Chris Lafond as the new CEO of Insurity,” said Giglio. “Chris and the Insurity leadership team will be responsible for driving Insurity to the next level, building upon the solid foundation and momentum achieved by all Insurity team members. Our corporate strategy and priorities are not changing; I will continue to be involved with the company as a member of the board of directors, supporting Insurity’s strategic initiatives, Chris, and the entire Insurity team.”

Chris Lafond, chief executive officer, Insurity

Lafond added, “I know that I speak for everyone at Insurity in thanking Chris for his leadership and tireless dedication to the company. I am incredibly excited to assume this new role and excited about what we will achieve going forward. We have an exceptionally talented team at Insurity, focused on taking decisive action to transform the business, deliver extraordinary service to our clients, continue to innovate our products, and unlock future growth opportunities.”

Insurity has achieved 97% client retention in response to its transformation incentive.

“Since the transition to our “ONE Insurity” client-centric strategy, we have established financial strength and market leadership, incorporating all of the experience, expertise, and technological innovation across the company. We’ve made meaningful progress toward our company priorities, and Chris has played an integral role, leading Insurity as CFO and as a board member since November 2017,” said Giglio.

Hiscox Appoints Landon O’Hara as U.S. Southwest Regional Executive 

Global specialist insurer Hiscox, headquartered in Bermuda, announced the appointment of Landon O’Hara, southwest regional executive for the United States.

O’Hara has over two decades of industry experience and will be based out of the company’s Los Angeles office. He will serve as a member of the Field Leadership Team and will report to Bob Gadaleta, head of field for Hiscox in the US.

“We’re excited to have Landon on board as we continue to grow our regional presence in the Southwest,” said Gadaleta. “Landon’s deep expertise in business development and diverse insurance industry background will be strong assets to our team as we develop new business opportunities for our entertainment product.”

O’Hara served as Director at RPX Insurance Services before joining Hiscox. He was responsible for the creation and expansion of west coast brokerage partnerships. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with AIG in underwriting and business development, and, before that he served as a broker at Aon Environmental.

American P&I Announces One Appointment in London and Two in Hong Kong

Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), managers of American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club), have announced three new hires.

Arsinoi Iliokaftou has been appointed claims executive in London while Vicky Cheng and Joe Wan have been appointed as business development executives, Asia.

“We are delighted to welcome a group of outstanding professionals to both the American Club’s and EOM’s global teams,” said Joe Hughes, chairman and chief executive officer of SCB, Inc. and Eagle Ocean Agencies, Inc., managers of the American Club and EOM respectively.

“My colleagues and I are certain that Arsinoi, Vicky and Joe will add great momentum to the Club’s and Eagle Ocean Marine’s continuing success in growing its market footprint throughout the world, adding value as they do so to the Club’s and EOM’s commitment to service to its Members, insureds and their intermediaries.”

Iliokaftou, a lawyer with a master’s degree in maritime law, will work to strengthen the claims liaison sphere.

Prior to joining the management team, Iliokaftou worked for several years in the London office of the company. She has practical claims handling experience from all over the world.

Vicki Cheng most recently served as client manager in the marine department of a major international insurance broker in Hong Kong. Her technical knowledge of the shipping business, coupled with her marine insurance experience will enhance American P&I’s outreach to its members, insureds, brokers and prospects throughout Asia and beyond.

 Joe Wan also has significant marine insurance experience derived from his previous employment at a leading broker in Hong Kong during which he handled many lines of marine business.

Chris Beazley Joins MS Amlin

Chris Beazley, chief executive officer, MS Amlin AG

Global reinsurer MS Amlin has announced that Chris Beazley, chief executive officer of MS Amlin AG will expand his role to all of MS Amlin’s reinsurance responsibilities.

James Few, global managing director of MS Amlin’s reinsurance division has stepped down from the role to join TigerRisk Partners, a privately held reinsurance broker.

Beazley will be responsible for setting the strategy of the Group’s reinsurance business. He will be supported by chief underwriting officer Dominic Peters and Phil Woodridge, reinsurance lead and joint active underwriter for MSAUL, MS Amlin’s Lloyd’s platform.

Beazley joined MS Amlin over a decade ago and has taken on senior roles within the London marine and reinsurance businesses. He also launched MS Amlin’s operations in Singapore and acted as Head of Global Clients and Strategy for MS Amlin’s Reinsurance SBU.

Before joining MS Amlin, he acted as an energy broker for Willis Towers Watson.

“Since joining MS Amlin over 10 years ago, Chris has been an integral part of the management team,” said MS Amlin chief executive officer Simon Beales of Beazley’s hiring.

“His leadership skills, global experience and market expertise will be invaluable to the reinsurance team as it continues to drive the business forward to the next stage of its development.” &

Emily Spennato is a former staff writer with Risk & Insurance.

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