Fidelis bolsters specialised risks team with new chairman

Fidelis Insurance has appointed Ian Burford to its London underwriting team as chairman of specialised risks.

“We are pleased to welcome someone of Ian’s calibre and expertise to our underwriting team,” said Dan Burrows, Fidelis’ UK CEO. “His knowledge of the market and emerging needs will be invaluable as we continue our strategy of identifying and attracting specialist underwriting talent with innovative and closely defined products.”

According to Fidelis, Burford will focus on identifying opportunities to expand specialised products in insurance and reinsurance, including MGA start-ups.

In addition, he will also write treaty reinsurance including property for Fidelis Underwriting where complementary to the North American and international business written by Fidelis Insurance Bermuda.

Burford was formerly at Novae, where he had been since 1998, most recently as underwriting performance director. He left Novae in May 2017. He joined Novae in 1998, became deputy underwriter for Novae’s Syndicate 1241 and then Syndicate 2007, and was promoted to joint active underwriter of the group in 2011. He also served as a director of Novae Syndicates.

“I look forward to joining the Fidelis underwriting team, and continuing to build their specialised book,” commented Burford. “Their opportunistic and highly responsive approach is key to success in today’s market.”