Aspen Re Expands European Operations with Zurich Office

Aspen Re, a subsidiary of Aspen Insurance Holding Limited, announced the launch of Aspen Re in Europe along with plans to open an office, to be based in Zurich, that will act as the hub for Aspen’s European reinsurance activity. Plans call for the employment of up to 20 people in the next two years.

“This move is strategically important for Aspen Re as Europe is the second largest insurance buyer in the world after the United States,” the bulletin explained. “Furthermore, Zurich is one of the major financial centers in Europe and a key location for many insurance companies, making it increasingly important to have a physical presence close to where clients do their business.”

The decision to expand into Europe is a significant one for Aspen. It’s the first time the Group has “established a dedicated operation to pursue all lines of business in continental Europe.” Aspen Re’s operation will be a “one-stop shop, integrating all lines of business such as Property and Casualty reinsurance under a single platform and business plan,” the bulletin noted.

The new Europe hub will be headed by Jacopo D’Antonio, President and Chief Underwriting Officer. He has 16 years experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry, and has been with Aspen since its inception in 2002, when he joined the Company from Wellington’s Syndicate 2020 at Lloyd’s.

D’Antonio was “part of the team that set up Aspen Re and was later appointed Head of Property Reinsurance in London and Head of Reinsurance Business Development in Europe.” He began his career with Italy’s Generali Group, where he was deputy head of the inwards treaty department with direct responsibility for Northern and Southern Europe, and the Generali branch in Singapore. He also sat on the London Market Legal Committee dealing with European integration and the reinsurance industry.

CEO Chris O’Kane commented: “The planned launch of Aspen Re in Europe and the opening of our Zurich office are the first steps to Aspen expanding its European footprint and positioning ourselves to take advantage of the numerous opportunities we see on the Continent. This will enable us to provide an enhanced and localized service to our European clients, and a solid base from which we can access countries in Central and Eastern Europe which are experiencing strong economic growth and, as a result, significant demand for insurance.”

Topics Europe Reinsurance