Canopius appoints chief investment officer

Canopius Group has appointed Michael Pratten to the newly created role of chief investment officer. Pratten joins from Coal Pension Trustees Services where he was also chief investment officer.

Pratten will report to group chief financial officer, Paul Cooper and will be responsible for overseeing the group’s investments and asset management.

At Coal Pension Trustees Services, Pratten was responsible for the design and development of the infrastructure and asset strategy for pension funds totalling over £25 billion. He also spent 10 years with Equitas as investment strategist and chief investment officer, where he developed an outsourced global investment infrastructure, managing £7 billion for the reinsurance run-off of the Lloyd’s market. He has also held senior positions at Wellington Management and Prudential Portfolio Management.

Cooper said: “This is an important appointment for Canopius, reflecting the growing size of our funds under management, which now exceed £1.5 billion. Michael’s first class track record and wealth of experience will strengthen our investment management capabilities and enable us to execute more proactive oversight of our investment funds.”

Pratten said: “I am delighted to be joining Canopius at an exciting point in its history. Whilst the organisation’s primary focus is underwriting, investment return is an important component of overall performance and I am looking forward to contributing to its future success as it commences the next chapter of its ambitious growth plans.”