Aspen boosts US operations with two hires

Bermuda-based Aspen has made two senior appointments in its US insurance segment.

Bob Rheel has been appointed president of US insurance. Previously Rheel served as head of US property and casualty (P&C) insurance and programmes and in a broker distribution leadership role.

He will report to Mario Vitale, chief executive officer (CEO) of Aspen Insurance.

Cliff Hope succeeds Rheel as head of US P&C insurance. He undertakes this new responsibility in addition to his current role as executive vice president chief property insurance underwriter and will report to Rheel.

Chris O’Kane, Aspen’s group CEO, said: “Bob has played a pivotal role in the build-out of our US platform and I am delighted that he has agreed to head up our US insurance business.

“He is a proven leader and his considerable industry experience and expertise will be invaluable as we take the business forward to the next stage of its continued profitable growth.”

Vitale added: “Bob has made a significant contribution in the four years he has been with Aspen and he is ideally qualified to lead our US insurance business.

“During the seven years Cliff has been with Aspen Insurance, he has proven himself to be an outstanding technical underwriting leader with extensive market knowledge and he is very well qualified to head up our US P&C insurance business lines.”

Both appointments are effective from August 1, 2015.