Chris O’Kane News

Aspen Promotes Issavi to Lead Its Reinsurance Business, Succeeding Lillelund

Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. announced that Emil Issavi, president and chief underwriting officer of Aspen Re, has been appointed to lead its reinsurance business with immediate effect. Issavi succeeds Thomas Lillelund who is leaving Aspen to become chief executive …

Aspen’s Restructuring Continues – To Improve Results, Preserve Shareholder Value

The chief executive of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited described business changes to Aspen’s Lloyd’s insurance book last week, while neither unequivocally confirming or denying rumors that a deal to sell the entire company is imminent. “We have a very good …

As Underwriting Pain Increases, Insurers Pull Back from Underperforming Lines

News that Lloyd’s is undergoing a strategic review of its operations may be part of a larger industrywide phenomenon—reality is setting in and underwriting pain is increasing, an industry executive said last week. Markel Corp. Co-Chief Executive Officer Richie Whitt …

Boornazian to Retire as Chairman of Aspen Re and CEO of Aspen Re, Americas

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. announced that Brian Boornazian has decided to retire as chairman of its reinsurance segment, Aspen Re, and as chief executive officer of Aspen Re, Americas, with effect from the end of April. “I would like to …

Aspen Ceases Underwriting Property Insurance from Bermuda Platform

Aspen Insurance Holdings confirmed on Friday, Feb. 16 that it has ceased underwriting property insurance on its Bermuda platform, effective immediately, as a result of the company’s 2017 catastrophe losses. The move was made in response to CEO Chris O’Kane’s …

Aspen Looks to Rebound from ‘Considerable Poor Performance’ by Insurance Unit

Aspen Insurance Holdings lost nearly $185 million in the 2017 fourth quarter, or $3.25 per diluted share. The struggling Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer also saw its consolidated combined ratio hit 152.6. While California wildfire catastrophe costs contributed greatly to Aspen’s …

Aspen Announces Cohen to Lead Insurance Unit, Succeeding Postlewhite

Aspen announced that David Cohen, president and chief underwriting officer of Aspen Insurance, will lead the day-to-day management of the Insurance business, reporting to group chief executive officer, Chris O’Kane. “David joined Aspen in November 2015. Since his arrival, he …

Aspen Appoints Schick from Maybank as Group Chief Operating Officer

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. announced that David Schick has been appointed group chief operating officer. Schick joins Aspen from Maybank where he was executive vice president, Group Strategy and Transformation, and director of Strategic Operational Excellence. At Maybank, he was …

Brexit Would Create Extra Burden for Reinsurers, Caution CEOs

While insurers and reinsurers will be able to deal with the aftermath of an exit of the U.K. from the European Union, the time and cost involved are unwelcome intrusions to the business, executives suggested here. Plan B might be …

Aspen Announces New CEOs for Insurance & Reinsurance Units as Vitale Retires

Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. has appointed new leaders for its insurance and reinsurance segments, in response to the announced retirement of CEO Mario Vitale. Stephen Postlewhite, previously chief executive officer of Aspen Reinsurance, has been appointed chief executive officer, …