Mereo appoints specialty underwriter

Mereo Advisors has appointed former Validus Re specialty underwriter Tyler Kerr to the same role at the Bermuda start-up. 

Kerr, who joined Validus – now part of RenaissanceRe – in 2017, left the reinsurer this month. 

Mereo describes itself as a Bermuda-based re/insurance carrier with a novel approach to risk mitigation and portfolio construction. 

Backed by industry legend Brian Duperreault, the company has been reported to close to finalising a $650 million capital raise. Reports of the company have been circulating since September 2023 but it now appears to be close to launching in order to start underwriting on January 1, 2025. 

Other people in the start-up include David Croom-Johnson is described on his LinkedIn page as CEO/CUO of Mereo Insurance inc. The former  AEGIS London CEO is based in Bermuda. 

Lawrence Minicone, who is described as chief executive officer of Mereo Advisors Ltd and chief investment  officer of Mereo Insurance Ltd on LinkedIn. He joined the company in November, 2023 and is based in Bermuda. 

Richard Holden, former chief executive officer and chief underwriting officer, Bermuda for Fidelis MGU (now The Fidelis Partnership) is deputy chief underwriting officer in Bermuda.   

It has also been reported that insurance linked securities veteran Neil Strong will be the CEO of Mereo ILS. The former CEO of IQUW ILS is based in the UK. 

On its website, Mereo Advisors describes itself as an investment management firm focused on innovative solutions in the insurance and reinsurance industries. 

“Our mission is to democratise direct investment into insurance related risks,” the website said. “We aim to create unparalleled access to specialised return streams that were once reserved for industry insiders.”

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