Ascot taps Guy Carpenter for general counsel

Bermuda-based Ascot Group has appointed former Guy Carpenter general counsel Michael Sevi to hold the role of group general counsel. 

The specialty re/insurer also said it had promoted John Gill to the position of US general counsel, replacing Jeff Sipo, who left the company in May.    

Sevi will report to group chief executive officer and president Jonathan Zaffino, who said: "I warmly welcome Michael Sevi to Ascot and our first-rate team. I am confident that Michael’s extensive experience in the re/insurance industry will serve him well as he assumes the chief legal officer role at Ascot Group."

Sevi was previously general counsel and chief compliance Officer at Guy Carpenter, Marsh McLennan’s reinsurance brokerage. There he led a legal and compliance team across six countries, managing complex cross-border litigation, M&A activities, and a myriad of corporate governance activities, while also serving as a member of the Guy Carpenter Executive Committee.   

Prior to that, Sevi served as the group deputy chief compliance Officer of Marsh McLennan, a publicly traded global professional services firm. He has also held the position of deputy chief of staff to Governor Rick Scott of Florida, where he acted as the Governor’s senior policy advisor on insurance, reinsurance, financial regulation, and taxation.

Gill, the new US general counsel, joined Ascot in 2021 and has demonstrated exceptional expertise in legal, business, and compliance during his tenure, including most recently as US associate general counsel, SVP, regulatory & compliance. Gill has worked for large commercial insurance companies including Aspen, Berkley, and Beazley. 

Zaffino said: “I send my congratulations to John on his well-deserved promotion. John’s legal expertise, coupled with his knowledge of the Ascot US business and trust and respect of his colleagues  make him an obvious choice for the role."

He added: "Both of these individuals bring a passion for the law and its application to our industry, a commitment to leadership and colleague development, and a deep appreciation of the importance of culture.”

Sevi will lead a legal and compliance organisation, headed by Katy Wilson, general counsel, UK and Bermuda, and Gill. Gill will report to Sevi, and Wilson will report to both Sevi and Ian Thompson, chief executive officer and director of Ascot Underwriting.

Did you get value from this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.