StarStone sets up new US E&S property unit under ex-Velocity CUO

StarStone US has named Alison Oliphant as head of its newly-formed excess & surplus (E&S) property division, which it plans to launch ahead of the start of 2021 renewal cycle.

As president of the unit, Oliphant will be responsible for managing all facets of the business, including direct oversight of the underwriting teams dedicated to the E&S property market segment.

The property division adds to StarStone US’s existing excess casualty, workers’ compensation, management & professional liability, healthcare liability and marine & energy specialty commercial property & casualty insurance divisions.

Oliphant was most recently with Velocity Risk Underwriters, a division of Nephila Capital, where she served as the head of commercial lines and chief underwriting officer. In this role, she was responsible for setting the overall strategy for the division. Prior to that, she spent the previous eight years with AmWINS serving as both president, special risk underwriters and EVP of AmWINS Brokerage of Alabama.

Jeff Consolino, incoming CEO of StarStone US, said: "I am looking forward to working with Alison as we build a market-leading specialty insurance company. Alison is an accomplished insurance executive with a proven track record of building successful property insurance businesses from the ground up. She has spent her career in property and brings extensive experience across underwriting, distribution, and capital management.

"There is a clear market need for expansion in commercial property as we observe premium pricing increasing and capacity contracting. Alison will lead a team that will continue to build on our strategic and dynamic vision for StarStone U.S."