Pool Re names former Treasury minister as new chair

UK government-backed terrorism mutual reinsurer  Pool Re has appointed an executive with experience across politics, business and member-based organisations as its new chair.

Angela Knight (pictured) will become the non-executive chair of the mutual reinsurer. She will take over from Andrew Skirton, who has been operating as acting chair for the last six months following Geoff Riddell’s resignation due to ill health.

Knight has held roles including economic secretary to the Treasury, chief executive of the British Bankers Association at a critical time in financial services, chair of the Office of Tax Simplification and a number of non-executive positions.

Skirton, Pool Re’s senior independent director and acting chair, said: “Angela has exactly the right blend of experience to lead Pool Re at a time of significant change -through the current Government Review and beyond. Having led another member-based organisation previously and worked as economic secretary to the Treasury – the ministerial office with responsibility for Pool Re - she understands well the challenges and opportunities that we and all our stakeholders face.”

Julian Enoizi, Pool Re chief executive, added: “Our Board is vital in stimulating further innovative thinking within the organisation and the industry as together we continue to meet the challenges of the evolving terrorism threat as well as the emergence of other systemic risks.

“The current Government Review is likely to result in some fundamental and far-reaching changes to how Pool Re operates and subsequently for the terrorism insurance market in the UK. Angela has the relevant experience to lead the Board and to help me in guiding our organisation through this period of transition, bringing a blend of political and commercial acumen that Pool Re needs. We look forward to working with her.”

Did you get value from this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.