Castel eyes 'aggressive' profitable growth in UK and Europe

Managing general agent (MGA) formation platform  Castel Underwriting Agencies has hired a senior executive from Apollo to help leverage some exciting growth opportunities presented in the market and pursue an "aggressive" development strategy.

Joining in a newly created role of head of performance, Doug Ker will be responsible for working with the firm’s underwriting cells to enhance profitability. He will work across Castel’s UK and European regulated businesses.

Ker comes to Castel from Apollo Syndicate Management where he was an underwriting business partner overseeing underwriting governance and business development. He has over 15 years’ insurance and reinsurance industry experience and was previously head of international underwriting operations with Aspen.

Mark Birrell (pictured), chief executive officer of Castel, said: “Strengthening the breadth and depth of our senior management team is a sign of our continual development. We welcome Doug and look forward to him helping us continue to grow a successful and profitable business.”

Ker commented: “This is a pivotal time to be joining Castel. There are some exciting global growth opportunities, and I am looking forward to working alongside Mark and the team to leverage the expertise and experience that exists within Castel to aggressively pursue our development strategy.”

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