The Ticker

Providing surety as a new business line via acquisition of Mexico-based MGA Ant. >> Hires Newton Queiroz as country manager for XS Brazil, reporting to CEO Jorge Cazar.

Hires Patrick Markowski as SVP and chief operating officer. Markowski was most recently an EVP at Chubb.

Hires Anders Malmström as chief financial officer, succeeding John Dacey on April 1, 2025. Malmström has since 2021 held the same position for Athora Holdings. Dacey retires on March 31, 2025, but will stay on as a non-executive director representing Swiss Re on the FWD and CPIC boards.

Providing underwriting for Gigasure, which formed in August to provide personalized travel insurance. >> Providing underwriting for Hellenic Hull Management portfolio of hull and machinery risks, along with ancillary coverage.

Hires Stuart Lee as chief actuary and Martin Thomas as head of underwriting management. Lee comes from Markel, where he held the same title; Thomas joins from Probitas, where he held the same title.

Joins Oak Reinsurance in announcing “in principle” authorization from Lloyd’s for the Oak Re Syndicate 2843 to begin underwriting on Jan. 1, 2025.

Announces two promotions: Kier James will shift from vice president, underwriting, to chief underwriting officer; EVP Patrick Grealy is expanding his remit to portfolio & performance management. Bob Forness who served as chief executive and chief underwriting officer at the specialty reinsurer, is now CEO.

Begins offering FintechRisk+ cyber coverage. Policy offers U.K.-based and international fintechs with financial services and technology liability, directors and officers liability, and theft and cyber protection insurance, with limits maxing out at $20 million (USD). It also encompasses business interruption insurance and cyber extensions such as betterment, crypto jacking, reward coverage, and telecom fraud. >> Appoints Jamie Mullarkey as global executive underwriting officer for property and first party lines.

Reports updates to AM Best ratings. The ratings agency ticked Lloyd’s financial strength rating from A (excellent) to A+ (superior) and revised its long-term issuer credit rating from A+ (excellent) to AA- (superior).

Brings on Russ Wagner, previously U.S. facultative lead for Aspen Re, to head up its own move into the facultative business, The Insurer reports.