Sompo appoints new head of Asian risk solutions

Bermuda-based specialty re/insurer Sompo International Holdings has appointed Sara Gundersen as executive vice president and Asian risk solutions segment leader.

Gundersen will lead the growth strategy, underwriting discipline, production, business and product development, expense control and profitability for the Sompo Global Risk Solutions (GRS) US Asian risk solutions team. The business focuses on large, middle and small Asian-based accounts with US operations.

Gundersen was previously senior vice president for the Eastern territory, financial institutions and professional services P&C industry vertical leader for Sompo GRS and large accounts casualty underwriting manager for the Sompo GRS Asian risk solutions segment.

She has over 20 years of experience in various underwriting and management positions, including 15 years at Chubb where she served as vice president and leader of the middle market underwriting practice.

Gundersen will report to Michael Chang, chief executive officer of Sompo GRS at Sompo International, and remain in New York.

Chang said: “We are thrilled that Sara will lead our Asian Risk Solutions business in the U.S. As one of our industry vertical leaders, she has helped to develop and strengthen client relationships in our target markets and demonstrated her ability to take an integrated approach to underwriting, claims and risk control to deliver white glove service to our clients and brokers. We are excited to put Sara’s extensive underwriting and leadership experience to work on behalf of our Asian-interest accounts in the U.S.”