Kettle appoints new CEO

Bermuda-based insurtech Kettle has appointed Isaac Espinoza as chief executive. 

The company, which has developed parametric insurance solutions for wildfire risks, said he will join cofounder and chief  technology officer, Son Le, in leading the business.

The moves came after co-founders chief executive officer Andrew Engler and chief operating officer Nathaniel Manning moved into senior advisor roles earlier this year.  

Espinoza has spent nearly 20 years working in insurance, reinsurance, and insurtech, most recently as SVP at car insurer Root, where he managed reinsurance efforts, as well as strategy, corporate actuarial and venture functions between 2020 and 2024.

Espinoza was previously at Cayman Islands-based Greenlight Re, working on the actuarial, underwriting and innovation teams. He began his insurance career as an actuary at Fireman’s Fund in California.

Espinoza said: “I’m excited to continue my career as an operator and leader, working on some of the most important existential questions for the insurance industry and for our planet.

“Kettle has a head-start on modelling emerging risks and providing insurance options in a market where protection is harder and harder to come by.”

Le said: “We’re at an inflection point where our unique models can offer protection to customers currently underserved by incumbent providers. Isaac’s arrival is exciting for Kettle and our future in the industry.”

Engler said in a LinkedIn post: “Incredibly honoured to have Isaac taking the helm at kettle to lead the company on its continued growth in solving the wildfire insurance crisis. Could not be prouder of what the team has built already and will continue to build under some of the best leadership in our market!”

Lauren Kolodny, partner at Acrew Capital, which led Kettle’s $25 million Series A round in 2021, said: “Isaac’s arrival is an exciting evolution for Kettle as it expands into new lines and new states. This year has been an important growth year. We’re thrilled to welcome Isaac’s leadership.”

Backed by Acrew Capital, True Ventures, Valor Venture Partners, Lower Carbon Capital, Anthemis and other investors, Kettle said it has grown its premium base by more than three times in the past year.

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