Ascot US adds Lyons to head new portfolio solutions unit

Ascot has hired former AIG executive Anthony Lyons to head up a new portfolio solutions underwriting division of its US insurance platform that will focus on MGA/MGU and tech partnerships.

Lyons has been named executive vice president and has been tasked with identifying, cultivating and maintaining a range of MGA partnerships with third party firms seeking a relationship with Ascot, said the carrier in a statement.

As well as working with MGA and MGU clients, the executive will build a roster of external providers to deliver technological partnerships aimed at exploring new digital distribution models and operational solutions, it added.

Lyons will also oversee group and single parent captive solutions to bring Ascot’s underwriting capabilities and multiple platforms to address increasing demand for the services from commercial clients.

He was most recently at AIG, where he spent two decades in a range of underwriting and analytics roles, including executive vice president and global head of analytics and technical services before leaving the insurance giant last year.

He spent seven years as president of national accounts primary casualty for US and Canada.

Since leaving AIG he has worked with insurance businesses on a consulting basis on technology implementation and insurtech integration.

Commenting on the appointment, Ascot’s recently appointed group president Jonathan Zaffino said: “This is an exciting new venture for Ascot, and one that builds on our earlier work in the programs space while evolving the concept further. 

“A key element of our strategy is to create a diverse ecosystem of partnerships, which will help Ascot to maintain a competitive edge and address a growing range of risk issues in today’s marketplace. This new Portfolio Solutions division has a broad remit to explore how we can create these unique partnerships with a growing range of third-party firms.”

Ascot has its own MGU platform Ethos Specialty led by Rory Cline.