Pioneer poaches Infrassure team

Pioneer Underwriters’ new Zurich based underwriting business Pioneer Natural Resources (PNR) has commenced underwriting.

PNR will be led by Colm Kelly as head of natural resources. Kelly previously served as chief underwriting officer at Infrassure. Prior to this, he was the onshore energy insurance lead at Swiss Re.

Kelly will be joined by former Infrassure execs Philip Wallace as head of claims and operations, and underwriters Alireza Damouzehtash and Zainab Noppa.

The business will initially underwrite a portfolio of global onshore energy risks in London, supported by selected syndicates at Lloyd’s.

Darren Doherty, chief executive officer of Pioneer Underwriters, said: “I am very pleased that Pioneer Natural Resources has started underwriting and want to welcome Colm and his team, as we develop our global energy specialism. His knowledge of the market and existing relationships will play a key part in positioning Pioneer as a leader in this specialist insurance sector.”

Kelly said: “Pioneer’s market presence and reach makes an excellent platform from which to build a leading global energy insurance portfolio. I look forward to offering our clients first class energy products backed by market leading service standards.”