Vantage appoints ex-Sompo exec as head of excess casualty

Vantage Group Holdings has appointed Denise Watkins (pictured) as head of excess casualty and Bermuda Healthcare, pending Bermuda immigration approval. Watkins will be based in Bermuda and report to Alex Blanco, Vantage's chief officer of insurance.

In her expanded role, Watkins will lead Vantage's businesses across US excess casualty and Bermuda excess casualty and healthcare. She will oversee the team's ongoing success through the enhancement of its business and distribution strategies. Before joining, she held various senior positions at Sompo International. Previously, she held leadership roles at AIG and Travelers.

Blanco said: "Denise is taking on this important new role to generate greater value for our brokers and clients as they navigate an increasingly complex risk environment. Her promotion marks the next phase in our sustained growth across Vantage's insurance business."

Watkins added: "We've laid the foundation to be responsive, efficient, and insightful for our brokers and clients. I'm looking forward to expanding our data-empowered underwriting approach and developing sophisticated risk solutions with Alex and our teams."