Canopius expands global specialty capability

Specialist re/insurance underwriter, Canopius Group, has strengthened its global specialty business unit with a number of appointments.

Paul Sandi has joined as ‎head of North American casualty treaty and will report to Graeme Brydon, who has been appointed as divisional underwriter, casualty, having served previously as deputy divisional underwriter. As part of the senior team within global specialty, Brydon continues his role overseeing Canopius’ casualty insurance and reinsurance business written in London.

Daniel Boutcher has been appointed as marine property underwriter in the marine and energy team. Boutcher brings his expertise in niche marine lines to the team, including ancillary hull underwriting for blue and brown water accounts, fishing vessels, yachts, port risks and builders’ risks. He will report to and work closely with Charles Fernandez who will concentrate on the marine liability class.

The energy team also welcomed Riten Shah, who joined to strengthen Canopius’ energy construction underwriting capabilities. Shah reports into energy team leader, Steve Warren and brings to the team ten years of experience in the risk and insurance industry.

Finally, the political risk and crisis management team led by divisional underwriter Simon Low has been strengthened with the appointment of Richard Weare, who relocated from Canopius Bermuda. Weare reports to underwriter Natalie Lilley and assists with the underwriting of the contamination and recall business.

“Recruiting the best people to build upon our existing expertise is part of our strategy to achieve our growth ambitions,” said Stephen Gargrave, chief executive, global specialty. “Global specialty is developing existing lines of business and capitalising on new opportunities created by a fast evolving market.

“Paul Sandi is a recognised expert in the casualty treaty sector and the ideal candidate to build our new US casualty treaty line. Marine and energy is an area where we still see significant opportunities for growth. Daniel Boutcher and Riten Shah are highly skilled individuals, whose knowledge and niche focus will enhance our capabilities and will play a vital role in our growth ambitions for this sector. As a young underwriter Richard Weare’s skill and energy reflects the growing strength of our talent pool across the Group which ensures we are already well placed to meet our longer term objectives.”