Executives On The Move at Zurich, XL Catlin and Starr Companies

September 4, 2017

Zurich Insurance is bringing on a former Swiss Re executive as its new group chief risk officer. XL Catlin appointed a former Zurich executive to a new leadership position at the carrier. Starr Companies named a new chief underwriting officer for the liabilities group.

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Zurich Insurance Group hired on Alison Martin as group chief risk officer.

Martin, a Swiss Re veteran executive, will succeed Cecilia Reyes, the reinsurer’s current group chief risk officer who will retire in the 2018 first quarter. Martin joins the company on Oct. 1 and will assume her new executive position in January 2018.

At Swiss Re, Martin was head of Life & Health Business Management over the previous four years. Martin’s career at Swiss Re spanned 14 years overall, Martin held a series of senior management positions focused on transformation, commercial business and value creation.

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XL Catlin appointed a former Zurich executive to a new leadership position at the carrier.

Owen Williams is CL Catlin’s new Captive Center of Excellence manager. He’ll be based in London, U.K. and work with underwriters and XL Catlin’s captive clients globally to deliver best-in-class fronting services. He’ll report to Matt Latham, Head of Captive Programs at XL Catlin.

Williams, a 20-year insurance industry veteran, was previously at Zurich Insurance plc for the last 11 years. At Zurich, he was most recently Head of Captive Services in the U.S. Before Zurich, he held a number of underwriting positions at RSA Insurance plc.

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Starr Companies appointed Nick Lawrence as chief underwriting officer for the liabilities group.

Lawrence, to be based in London, will handle all London market business, including U.S. Desk, plus growth and expansion in the European marketplace where local offices have been established.

Lawrence has previously been the class underwriter at a number of Lloyd’s syndicates during the last 17 years.

Colin Buchanan, head of international casualty, said that Lawrence’s experience will help Starr in Europe and also developing new channels and relationships. He’ll particularly help growing Starr’s general liability, construction, energy and environmental impairment business.

Sources: Zurich Insurance Group, XL Catlin and Starr Companies