Lloyd’s approves aspiring new syndicate with Asta as manager

Medical & Commercial International (MCI), a specialist managing general agency (MGA) managed by  Asta, has received ‘in-principle’ approval from Lloyd’s to establish its Syndicate 1902.

Syndicate 1902 will underwrite business incepting on or after January 1, 2022.

The syndicate will write gross written premium (GWP) of £45 million in year one. It will be established under the innovative “Syndicate-in-a-box” (SIAB) model and managed by Asta, Lloyd's third-party managing agent Asta.

Having recently executed a management buy-out from their previous parent company in September 2020, MCI will combine the forces of its existing panel of capacity providers (via a market-leading liability consortia) with that of Syndicate 1902. They will continue to write existing core medical and commercial liability classes, as well as launching several new and innovative products which have scientific and research-driven underwriting characteristics.

Phil Trafford will be appointed active underwriter for Syndicate 1902. He established MCI in 2014 and leads the group as CEO. He has more than 20 years of market experience with a notable underwriting track record in medical and commercial liability. Trafford will be supported by a team of product leaders with scientific and/or insurance industry expertise, including Daniel Starmer, James Banks and Anthony Wright.

Trafford said: “The vision for Syndicate 1902 is to create a global leader in science and research-led risk transfer with superior returns in evolving risk classes. The flexible and cost-effective SIAB platform made it possible for MCI not only to establish a credible risk bearing vehicle, but also to enhance our current product offerings.  We are excited to work with Asta in this new initiative and are grateful for their guidance and continual support in helping us reach this milestone.”

Julian Tighe (pictured), chief executive officer of Asta, added: “We are proud to unveil our latest SIAB which further reinforces our ability to provide a flexible and swift route to market for aspiring new entrants to Lloyd’s. MCI Syndicate 1902 embodies innovation in terms of its product, distribution, and approach to technology and we are delighted to work with the MCI team and look forward to seeing the positive impact its business will have in Lloyd’s.”

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