Canopius unveils new CEO as Watson takes a step back

Speciality re/insurer  Canopius Group has unveiled a new chief executive officer in what it called the right time for new leadership. Its existing CEO had been at the helm for 20 years.

Neil Robertson (pictured), who joined Canopius as deputy group CEO in May 2021, reporting to group chairman and CEO Michael Watson, takes up his new role immediately. Watson will continue as group chairman.

As Group CEO, the company stressed that Robertson will lead Canopius in setting and achieving its strategic ambitions. It also said he would focus on developing its Asia-Pacific, Bermudian and US operations.

Watson said: “After leading Canopius for 20 years, it is now the right time to empower the next generation of leadership for the group. Recent months have shown Neil’s exceptional talents as a motivational leader and a builder of effective teams, which will help propel us to the next level.”

Robertson said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to lead a business with outstanding potential. I have had time get to know Canopius over the last six months, and I have been hugely impressed with what I have learned and by the enormous potential of our talent to deliver sustained success.

“I look forward to continuing our work to realise our strategic objectives by building on Canopius’s established footprint, strong capital base and enviable reputation as we embark on the next exciting phase of our development.”

Did you get value from this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.