Canopius draws senior Argo duo for financial lines expansion in US, Bermuda

Global specialty re/insurer  Canopius Group has hired a senior leader and an underwriter from Argo to expand its management and professional lines business across the US and Bermudian markets.

Mike Butler joins Canopius as head of management and professional lines, Bermuda, reporting to Laurie Banez, head of casualty and head of management and professional lines.

Additionally, Jade Weaver joined Canopius in Bermuda as an underwriter in management and professional lines. She previously served as an underwriter on the professional lines team at Argo Group.

With almost 25 years of industry experience, Butler comes to Canopius from Argo Group, where he most recently served as senior vice president and professional lines manager from 2011 through 2023. While at Argo Group, Butler helped build the Argo Financial Lines BDA portfolio and led a team of underwriters focused on directors & officers, employment practices, errors & omissions, and wage & hour liability risks. Prior to Argo, he held senior positions at Marsh and AIG.

“Mike is an excellent addition to the Canopius team and will drive the expansion of our management and professional lines business on the island,” said Banez. “His client and broker relationships, coupled with expertise in our product offerings, will help us to achieve our ambitious growth plan within the region.”

Lisa Davis, US and Bermuda regional CEO, added: “We are committed to building our specialty platform and expanding in key sectors across the U.S. and Bermudian markets. Growing our Management and Professional Lines offering is an important step in delivering a broader suite of products to our broking partners. Our ability to underwrite business across our syndicate, companies, and admitted paper, with our partnership with Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance, gives our brokers and clients flexibility through choice of access and carrier.”

Charles Craigs, CEO of Canopius Bermuda and group head of reinsurance, said: “These appointments further strengthen our on-island presence and emphasize the core role our growing Bermudian business plays in our wider Group growth plans. We look forward to further strengthening our team and continuing to attract the leading talent in Bermuda, an important market with a strong talent pool, and our goal is to support it as best we can.”

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