Acrisure hires former Helios CEO to chair subsidiary

Former Helios Underwriting chief executive officer Martin Reith has joined insurance broker and insurtech Acrisure and will become chairman of its Lloyd's business Volante. 

The veteran re/insurer was also a founder and chief executive officer of Ascot Underwriting and was group chief executive officer of broker Neon. He left Helios in June this year.  

In his new role, Reith will be executive chairman of Volante, a Lloyd’s business with extensive MGA operations, where he will work closely with the CEO Talbir Bains and the executive team. 

Alongside his role as Executive Chairman of Volante, Reith will also be advising Ben Canagaretna, managing director of Acrisure Re Corporate Advisory and Solutions (“ARCAS”), and reviewing and advising on Acrisure’s interest in accessing third-party capital to take advantage of the significant number of opportunities ahead.

Based in London, he will report into Matt Schweinzger and Grahame Millwater, Acrisure’s executives whose responsibilities include Acrisure Re, their London based and International based businesses, as well as all global MGAs and Programmes. Acrisure has extensive operations in Bermuda. 

Reith is also a non-executive director at Bermuda-based reinsurer Prospero Re and has been a director of Securis and AmWINS.   

 “As Acrisure continues to expand, we want to ensure we are benefiting from the most experienced leaders in the London market and beyond," said Schweinzger. "Martin’s expertise will add tremendous value across several areas of our business.”  

Millwater added: “I have had the advantage of knowing Martin over many years, and his reputation and extensive network of long-term relationships will be extremely valuable and further strengthen our leadership team.”

Reith said: “I have enjoyed watching Acrisure’s successful international expansion thus far and I look forward to working with Matt and Grahame, as well as many others at Acrisure.”

“We warmly welcome Martin Reith to Volante Global,” said Bains. “Martin’s extensive experience and proven track record in the re/insurance sector make him well qualified to collaborate with the executive team on our strategic initiatives for 2025 and beyond. 

"As we embark on a year of a significant growth plan for syndicate 1699, the addition of Martin’s expertise will position us for continued success to deliver respectable underwriting profit in a competitive landscape.”

Reith said: “I am thrilled to join Volante and to support the executive team. The business has a unique model that will offer significant opportunities in 2025 and beyond.”

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