Ascot continues US expansion with Greene hire

Ascot’s US build out has continued with the arrival of Crystal Greene from Liberty International Underwriters to lead its management liability team, The Insurer can reveal.

Greene, who also holds the title of senior vice president, joins A rated Ascot US with 25 years of industry experience, the last 17 of which have been with Liberty Insurance where she held various management positions.

The new management liability group will target the wholesale distribution channel, building a diversified book within the commercial and financial institutions lines on both a primary and excess basis, and with standard and excess and surplus (E&S) lines business.

The team under Greene’s oversight will look to launch in February 2020.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board-owned Ascot has been busy building out its US operations since formally launching the platform in October last year. Greg Wolyniec serves as president and CEO of Ascot Insurance US. The unit has a focus on the specialty and financial lines segments, and writes business on both an admitted and non-admitted basis.

Specialty lines already being underwritten include ocean marine, inland marine, environmental and trade credit, while the carrier has also added underwriting teams for legal professional liability and SME casualty.

Greene’s arrival is the latest in a growing list of recent recruits as Ascot expands its US operations. At the end of October, Ryan Becker joined Ascot US as the first addition to its new management liability and financial institutions team. Becker had previously been with Sompo International where he had served as a senior vice president for more than six years.

Prior to Sompo International, he had been a senior vice president for Aspen US Insurance.

Becker has responsibility for Ascot US’ portfolio of non-admitted, primary and excess D&O and FI risks.

Kenny Li, senior vice president and head of financial institutions, also joined Ascot US at the same time as Becker. Before joining Ascot US, Li was managing director for The Hartford’s east region, financial institutions team. His career also includes stints with Axis, Zurich North America and Marsh.

Becker and Li’s arrival followed that of John Patterson, vice president and head of financial lines claims who joined Ascot US in May from Arch Insurance.

Of the new arrival, Becker said Greene is “among the most trusted and respected underwriters in our industry”.

“Her experience in building new businesses and developing standard and E&S strategies across all management liability lines make for a perfect match with the fresh and innovative platform we are creating within Ascot,” Becker said.

“The diversity and diligence in our underwriting process and in limit management will enable this group to succeed in all market conditions, near and long term,” he added.