Aspen recruits former Validus US CEO Jonathan Ritz as president

Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings has appointed Validus' Jonathan Ritz to the newly-created role of group president with immediate effect.

Ritz was formerly chief executive officer of Validus’ US insurance operations, which included Western World Insurance Group, Crop Risk Services and Validus Specialty (all acquired by AIG in 2018). Ritz also served as chief operating officer of Validus Holdings. He has been in the re/insurance industry for more than 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. Ritz began his career in reinsurance and was also a Managing Director at Guy Carpenter.

Ritz will report to Mark Cloutier, executive chairman and group chief executive officer of Aspen.

Cloutier said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to attract such a proven and experienced leader as Jonathan to this important role. 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.

“In his role as Group President, Jonathan will be joining the Group Executive Committee and Group Underwriting Committee, and will be working very closely with me as we continue to refine and build upon our strategies to make Aspen a recognised leader in the area of specialty risk transfer through the combination of our insurance, reinsurance, and capital market capabilities.”

Ritz commented: “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.”

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