K2 taps Hanover leader with Allianz/CNA pedigree to build out US operations

K2 International, a specialty re/insurance underwriting platform and programme manager, has hired a senior leader with Hanover/Allianz/CNA pedigree to build out its capabilities in the US.

K2 International’s financial institutions business, K2 Financial, has appointed Kevin Leach (pictured) as senior vice president and founder of the US operation.

Leach was formerly head of financial institutions at Hanover in the US and previously held roles at Allianz and CNA.

K2 Financial co-founder and managing director Richard Coello said: “It has been a long-standing ambition of our business to build an on-the-ground capability in the US, recognising K2 is a well-established US domiciled business already. While our operation in the UK has seen remarkable compound growth since 2014, attracting an enviable client base worldwide through our valued London broker partners, it has become clear there is a huge amount of business we simply do not (and would not) see without some US infrastructure. To this end, it makes absolute sense to create a product offering that is accessible to customers and brokers directly in the US.”

Coello added: “Our existing broker distribution will be unaffected by this change. For K2 Financial, this is all about attracting new business we would not otherwise see. With Kevin joining the team, K2 Financial will bring our products and services to a whole new set of clients and producers. This is an exciting development - one that will further embed our reputation as the world’s leading underwriting service company for investment and Fintech businesses.”

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