Ascot taps AIG's Lyons to head new portfolio solutions unit

Specialty re/insurer Ascot has hired AIG's Anthony Lyons as executive vice president and leader of a new portfolio solutions underwriting division in the US. Lyons will focus on third-party firms seeking to do business with Ascot and oversee...

...group and single parent captive insurance solutions. In addition to working closely with current and future MGA and MGU clients, Lyons will explore new digital distribution models through technological partnerships.

Lyons previously spent two decades at AIG where he worked in a number of underwriting and analytics roles, most recently serving as executive vice president and global head of analytics & technical services. He also spent seven years as president, national accounts primary casualty US & Canada.

Jonathan Zaffino, Ascot group president, said: “This is an exciting new venture for Ascot, and one that builds on our earlier work in the programmes space while evolving the concept further. A key element of our strategy is to create a diverse ecosystem of partnerships, which will help Ascot to maintain a competitive edge and address a growing range of risk issues in today’s marketplace. This new Portfolio Solutions division has a broad remit to explore how we can create these unique partnerships with a growing range of third-party firms."

He added: “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tony for many years and he’s proven himself to be a collaborative and engaged leader who combines a significant depth of underwriting and managerial experience with a deep understanding of technological solutions and implementation. I look forward to working closely together as we assess and analyze a wide range of exciting opportunities for Ascot.”