People Moves: AFL’s Ralf to Ballantyne; Arab Insurance Group’s Albaharna to Trust Re; Hunt Promoted at Chaucer as Lines Plans to Retire

This wrap-up of international People Moves details recent appointments at Ballantyne Brokers; Bahrain’s Trust International Insurance and Reinsurance Co., and specialty re/insurer Chaucer.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Ballantyne Brokers Ltd., the independent London broker, announced the appointment of Robert Ralf as divisional director, Financial Lines, reporting to Richard Spragg, co-founder and director of Broking.

Ralf’s breadth of commercial insurance experience is not only focused on financial institutions but spans right across the specialty insurance sector, said Ballantyne in a statement. Most recently with AFL Broking Ltd., Ralf has worked for several leading brokers including Aon and Ed Broking.

“Ballantyne has seen outstanding growth during our first year in business and we are on track to place gross written premium in excess of US$100 million in our first year of operation. With a proven leadership team in place, we are seeing impressive broker talent joining us at an accelerating pace, in addition to deepening our operational strength with hires across the account handling and claims teams,” said Spragg in a statement.

“I know that Robert’s cross-class experience and track record of handling international clients of scale and complexity will significantly add to our ongoing growth, and I am delighted to have him on board.”

Owned by its management, Ballantyne Brokers has investment support from K2 Insurance Services, LLC. Gross written premiums placed for 2021 are expected to be in excess of $100 million, made up of a combination of managing general agent program business domiciled in the U.S., Europe and Australia across a wide range of insurance lines including cyber, professional liability, healthcare, property, construction, accident & health and directors and officers.

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Bahrain-based Trust International Insurance and Reinsurance Co. (Trust Re) announced the appointment of Yassir Albaharna as managing director and group chief executive officer.

With a renowned international profile and wide marketing network, Albaharna has more than 34 years of experience in the reinsurance industry. He was previously chief executive officer of Arab Insurance Group and he has been vice chairman of Trust Re since 2019.

Albaharna added “It gives me great pleasure to join Trust Re which I have known for many years. I look forward to working with the whole team as well as our valued clients, business partners, local regulator and shareholders to re-shape a better future for the company.”

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Specialty re/insurance group Chaucer announced the appointment of Kelan Hunt to the role of deputy active underwriter for Syndicate 1084 as current head, Ed Lines, announces his plans to retire at the end of the year.

Hunt has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years, joining London-based Chaucer in 2015 to assume leadership of the Energy division. In 2019 he took on the additional responsibility of leading the Marine and Aviation divisions. Prior to joining Chaucer, he gained extensive experience working for both major brokers and re/insurers, including almost a decade with Arch Insurance leading their Offshore and then Global Energy operations.

Hunt will replace Lines as active underwriter (subject to regulatory approval) following Lines’ decision to retire at the end of 2021 after more than 25 years of service at the firm. Hunt will work alongside Lines as deputy active underwriter until the end of the year, before assuming full responsibility as Active Underwriter from 1st January 2022.

Hunt is highly regarded by the market, with a deep understanding of Lloyd’s and the regulatory environment, making him the natural choice as Lines’ successor, said Chaucer in a statement. In addition to assuming the role of active underwriter, Hunt will retain his responsibilities for leading the Marine, Aviation and Energy divisions.

“Ed’s contribution to Chaucer in his 25 years with the firm cannot be overstated. A formidable team leader, he has helped the firm go from strength to strength and we wish him all the best in his retirement,” commented Nicola Stacey, chief underwriting officer at Chaucer.