Convex launches new US MGU under former XL Catlin leaders

Specialty re/insurer  Convex Group has launched a US platform,  Convex North America Insurance Services, under the leadership of former XL Catlin team as it looks to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the US excess & surplus lines market.

Convex US will operate as a managing general underwriter (MGU) and licensed excess and surplus lines insurance broker. Led by Dan Kumpf (pictured) as chief executive officer (CEO), it will offer miscellaneous professional liability (MPL) cover.

Joining Kumpf on  Convex US' leadership will be Bob Eells as chief operation officer (COO), Spencer Poole as vice president of MPL, Lauren Pollock as head of strategy, Tom Bongi as head of professional, Ben French for digital business development, and Lisa Robinson as head of HR.

Kumpf joined  Convex in September 2021 from AXA XL, where he was global chief underwriting officer (CUO) for all professional lines business. Prior to that, he served as the chief executive of professional lines at XL Catlin, and before that held various leadership roles at Catlin Insurance.

Eells formerly worked at XL Catlin and Catlin in business solutions leadership roles. Most recently, he was head of global specialty operations at AIG and Validus Specialty. Pollock joined Convex in 2021 from AXA XL, where she was head of digital cyber.

Convex US will be 100% owned by Convex Insurance UK and will write solely on its behalf at launch subject to compliance with applicable US excess and surplus lines insurance laws and regulations.

The unit will provide complementary opportunities for  Convex's London-based underwriters while increasing the group’s scope in the US, with a focus on both complicated manually underwritten risk and digital (low-complexity, high volume risks) opportunities.

Convex US will provide specialty insurance products and expertise to the US wholesale market. Its MPL product offers coverage for a monetary loss arising from negligence during the insureds’ professional duties. The product is non-admitted and offered on a claims-made basis.

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