Lockton targets fac growth in Central America with new senior hire

Broker  Lockton has strengthened its facultative broking proposition in Central America with appointment of new director.

Melanie Cruz, previously Product Manager at insurer ASSA Compañía de Seguros, joins Lockton’s Caribbean and Central American Facultative team as it deepens its specialist offering for its clients. Based in Puerto Rico, she will be responsible for overseeing Lockton’s offering within the Central American market.

With a well-established reputation within the market in the region, Cruz brings with her more than 12 years of industry knowledge, including experience at both ceding companies and multinational insurers. Prior to her role at ASSA Compañía de Seguros, Cruz spent more than eight years at the global insurer AIG, where she specialised in property.

Cruz’ appointment is the latest move in Lockton’s significant growth in the region and follows the creation of the Miami-based Caribbean & Central America Facultative team last year, which welcomed four new senior hires including Julian Pratt as CEO of the team.

Julian Pratt, CEO of Lockton Caribbean & Central America Facultative, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome such a high calibre addition to our team. Melanie has a reputation for excellence in our industry, is hugely experienced within the region, and will bring her deep and knowledge of insurers to bear on behalf of our clients as we build our specialist proposition within Central America. I’m confident that she will play a leading role in our ongoing growth.”

Cruz added: “ Lockton’s independent ownership, global reach and commitment to the highest quality of client service presents a compelling proposition, and uniquely positions it to grow in the Central American market. I’m thrilled to be joining at such an exciting time of expansion for the Facultative team.”

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