Major shake-up at the top of Canopius as three leaders make surprise exit

Lloyd’s global specialty re/insurer  Canopius has confirmed a “strategic” shake-up at the top that will see some of its key officials head to the door and global underwriting operations overhauled to boost focus on  specialist capabilities and regional growth.

The move is part of an “ongoing strategic transformation,” a company statement said, confirming three key departures including Charles Craigs (pictured right) - group head of reinsurance, Bernie De Haldevang (pictured left) - global head of specialty, and Rachel Sabbarton (pictured centre) - group head of short tail business.

Craigs has been with the business for nearly 15 years, during which he led much of the firm's insurance-linked securities (ILS) and third-party capital before becoming the CEO of Canopius Bermuda and group head of reinsurance.

De Haldevang joined Sompo Canopius as global head of specialty in 2016 with more than three decades of experience in the insurance industry, focusing on credit & political risk, war, terrorism & political violence and kidnap for ransom. Prior to that, he spent more than eight years at Aspen in leading financial & professional lines roles.

Sabbarton came to Canopius in 2018 from Beazley Group, where she was deputy head of energy. Having started as senior underwriter within the energy team she quickly rose to head of energy, followed by group head of short tail business in 2022.

The restructure follows its recent expansion in the Asia-Pacific region with a series of key appointments, new partnership in the US Virgin Islands, acquisition of inland marine US-based MGA Falvey, launch of underwriting cannabis-exposed risks in the US, and the hiring former  QBE Insurance CUO Sam Harrison to help to cement its position in the global market.

“Over the last 18 months, Canopius has reorganised our global underwriting operations to both enhance the focus on specialist underwriting capabilities and enable our three business regions to reach their greatest potential,” Canopius said in a statement.

“As part of the ongoing strategic transformation, we have agreed that Charles Craigs, Bernie De Haldevang and Rachel Sabbarton will be stepping down from their roles as Group Head of Reinsurance, Specialty and Short Tail respectively and will be leaving the business. They have made a tremendous contribution to Canopius, for which they have our sincere gratitude, and we wish them continued success in their future roles.

“Our commitment to each of our global products remains unwavering. In the interim, responsibilities will be assumed by our acting Group Chief Underwriting Officer Lisa Davis, and regional Chief Underwriting Officers Alois Rouffiac, Coleman Johnson and Yann Marmonier. We’re also excited to soon welcome Sam Harrison as our Group CUO.

“We will continue to work hard to achieve the ambitious goals we have set ourselves for this year and beyond and we look forward to realising the increasing benefits afforded by our new operating model and strategic approach.”

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