Core Specialty bolsters property unit with key hires from Pioneer, Axis

Core Specialty Insurance Holdings has bolstered its property division with key hires from Pioneer, Axis and Spinnaker Insurance as it seeks to build out its E&S capabilities and personal lines fronted programmes.

The company had previously announced its plans to launch the division ahead of the start of the 2021 renewal cycle.

The new additions to the property division include David Phillips and Christopher Muller as senior vice presidents of property underwriting, and Laurence Bunin and Adam Tyburski as co-heads of personal lines fronted programmes.

Phillips was most recently E&S property head for Pioneer Underwriting where he was responsible for building underwriting strategy, product, and execution. Prior to that, he helped build Maxum Specialty E&S Property following his time with Arch Specialty, Wellington Underwriting, and J. Linneman & Company.

Muller joins Core Specialty from the property E&S division of Axis where he was the Southeast unit manager responsible for a team of underwriters; including the coordination and execution of underwriting strategy. Prior to Axis, he spent time with Lexington, Ironshore, and Montpelier Re.

Bunin most recently was an original founding executive of Spinnaker Insurance Company in 2015. As the senior vice president, he was responsible for developing and underwriting multiple-party fronted insurance deals, and was responsible for deal economics and P&L. These efforts resulted in the ultimate sale of Spinnaker in August 2020.

Tyburski, also a co-founder of Spinnaker Insurance Company, served as the chief underwriting officer. He steered growth for both new and renewal business, while underwriting programmes to manage balance sheet exposure.

Alison Oliphant, head of Core Specialty's property division, said: "The additions of Dave, Chris, Laurence and Adam are keys to our success as we execute our well thought out strategy. Dave and Chris's collective E&S underwriting experience will allow them to lead our underwriting team to be the E&S property market of choice for our broker partners. Laurence and Adam bring significant tenure and insight for our property fronting business."

Jeff Consolino, president and chief executive officer of Core Specialty, added: "We announced our intention to build a market-leading property division under Alison's leadership in August and I am very pleased that the Property Division will be active at the outset of the 2021 renewal cycle. By adding Adam and Laurence, we add two executives with hands-on experience starting up and building a successful property fronting business which will further contribute to our growth in 2021 and beyond."