OAK Re taps Lancashire for top underwriter

Start-up reinsurer OAK Reinsurance has tapped Lancashire for its chief underwriting officer, property. 

James Irvine, who was chief underwriting officer for reinsurance at Bermuda-based Lancashire, will join OAK Re in spring 2025. He will report directly to Cathal Carr (pictured), chief executive officer and active underwriter of OAK syndicate 2843.

OAK Re said Irvine will lead the development of its property offering, a cornerstone of the company’s growth and leadership strategy.

Irvine begun his career at Guy Carpenter before joining Lancashire in 2010, where he was pivotal in building its treaty portfolio. He later advanced to become group chief underwriting officer, reinsurance. At Lancashire, Irvine oversaw underwriting operations across both Bermuda and Lloyd’s.

Carr, a former senior executive at Bermuda-based RenaissanceRe,  said: “OAK Re’s vision is to establish a leading global reinsurance franchise at Lloyd’s, driven by industry-leading talent, underpinned by cutting-edge risk insights, and backed by long-term investors. 

“Appointing James reflects this vision: it is another important step in continuing to build a team that leads from the front as the business grows.”

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