ACE strengthens programmes business

ACE Commercial Risk Services, the small business division of the ACE Group, has appointed Tom McGrath as senior vice president, head of programmes. In this role, McGrath will oversee all underwriting, marketing, and operations for the unit’s diverse programme insurance business.

Based in Philadelphia, McGrath will manage a team of underwriters with responsibility for administering ACE’s programmes business around the US, which features admitted and non-admitted insurance solutions for national, regional or local programmes with a wide set of specialty coverages available on a mono-line or package basis for complex risks.

Also based in Philadelphia and reporting to McGrath is Bill Franchi, who has been appointed senior vice president, programmes. In this role, Franchi will assume responsibility for profitably managing a book of programmess within ACE Commercial Risk Services.

Bill Sharp has been appointed chief operating officer, programmes, for US and Canada. In this new role, Sharp will be responsible for ensuring that the controls, processes and procedures that have made ACE’s programmes business a success continue in place, while also bringing resources to other ACE units in the US and Canada that utilise programme distribution platforms. Both McGrath and Sharp will report to David Lupica, division president, ACE Commercial Risk Services.

“ACE Commercial Risk Services has rapidly become a market of choice in the program business space. With a unique combination of specialty product expertise and the established financial strength of ACE, the group is a compelling partner for placement of complex programme business,” said Lupica. “Bill has been instrumental in establishing and building this strong offering. His leadership will serve ACE well in expanding the business in Canada. Adding Tom and Bill, both of whom are experienced industry leaders, represents a significant investment in this business and will be a tremendous asset in driving the next phase of our growth.”

With more than 26 years of experience in insurance and reinsurance, McGrath joins ACE from Munich Re America, where he served most recently as head of primary insurance programmes. Prior to this role, he oversaw the company’s public and non-profit programs business for 10 years.

Franchi joins ACE from Munich Re America, where he served as senior vice president, primary insurance programme manager since 2005. He brings to ACE nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry.

Sharp has been with ACE and its predecessor companies for more than 32 years. He has led the ACE Commercial Risk Services Programs group since 2010.