SiriusPoint mulls marine & energy expansion; snags 14-year Markel veteran
Global specialty re/insurer SiriusPoint has tapped a 14-year veteran of Markel International and QBE/Liberty senior underwriters to sharpen the company’s focus on strategically growing its marine and energy business lines, and strengthening its teams across the international business, including Lloyd’s Syndicate 1945.
SiriusPoint has appointed Chris Fenn as head of marine, London and John Hopper as head of energy.
Fenn, who brings over 25 years’ experience in marine and energy insurance to SiriusPoint, will be responsible for helping to shape the marine group’s strategy and developing SiriusPoint’s marine portfolio in London and internationally. He will be based in London and will report to Steve Smyth, head of marine, international, and active underwriter for Syndicate 1945, subject to Lloyd’s approval. Smyth was appointed to SiriusPoint in September 2023.
With over 30 years’ experience in marine, offshore and renewable energy underwriting, Hopper will lead SiriusPoint’s energy team, and will be responsible for maintaining and growing the London and international Energy book. He will be based in London and will report to Robert Harman, general manager SiriusPoint London Branch, and CEO & managing director, Sirius International Managing Agency (SIMA).
Prior to joining SiriusPoint, Fenn worked at Markel International for 14 years from 2008, firstly as senior liability underwriter marine and energy, then managing director, marine and finally divisional managing director, marine. He also spent two years working in reinsurance for various classes of business at Sirius International in 1995.
Before joining SiriusPoint, Hopper worked as a senior underwriter for the natural resources & sustainable energies team at QBE Europe from April 2023. Hopper was also head of energy at AmTrust’s Lloyd’s Syndicate 1861 from 2014 to 2019.
Additionally, Victoria Hopgood has been appointed as senior underwriter, energy, to help bolster SiriusPoint’s energy team. Hopgood joins SiriusPoint from Liberty Specialty Markets.
Rob Gibbs, president and CEO, SiriusPoint International, said: “We are excited to work with Chris, John and Victoria, and welcome them to the business. The specialist sector expertise they will bring to the team will provide further momentum as we seek to expand our presence in the market.
“We have been building our marine and energy businesses via London and Lloyd’s Syndicate 1945, and internationally through our MGA partnerships. Marine and energy are vital components of SiriusPoint’s strategy to be a high-performing underwriter and to our overall business. We are excited to welcome best-in-class underwriting talent and market experience to the Company to help support our ambitious growth plans.”
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