Top leadership shuffle at MS Amlin to capture growth in ‘crucial’ US market

Re/insurer  MS Amlin has reshuffled its top leadership deck in London and the US as the company’s plans for rapid international business development and growth in the world’s largest non-life insurance market.

Andrew Carrier (Pictured Left) has been named new chief executive officer (CEO) of its Lloyd’s of London arm MS Amlin Underwriting (MS AUL), succeeding Johan Slabbert (Pictured Right) who has been appointed as CEO of MSIG Holdings (US), onshore US re/insurer and a member of the Japan’s MS & AD Insurance Group.

In his newly created role, Slabbert will be responsible for driving forward the US growth strategy of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI) – MS AUL’s parent company – as it seeks to build on its growing domestic foundations following the proposed acquisition of Transverse, in August this year. Slabbert will remain with MS AUL until the end of the year to support a smooth transition and regulatory handover.

Carrier, currently MS AUL’s chief underwriting officer (CUO), will take up the top role on January 1, 2023, subject to regulatory approval.

Carrier has more than two decades of leadership experience in international (re)insurance markets, having played a pivotal role in transforming MS AUL’s underwriting strategy and portfolio and helping it return to profitability.

Prior to his role at MS AUL, Carrier spent six years at Everest Re, where he was responsible for the firm’s London Market, Continental Europe, and Asia Pacific reinsurance operations. His career also includes serving as Group CUO at Argo for seven years and more than two decades at Kiln.

Slabbert began his career at AIG before joining Chaucer as CFO, where he was also CEO for two years, and served as operating partner and CEO of Augustus Specialty. He joined MS AUL initially as a non-executive director and chairman of the board in May 2020, before assuming the CEO role later that year. Since 2020, he has led the transformation of MS AUL, and returned the company to profitable growth for the first time in many years.

The company said US expansion will help establish a significant foundation for MSI’s vision of becoming a leading insurance and financial services group. These plans took a major step forward earlier this year, when the firm acquired leading hybrid-fronting carrier Transverse Insurance Group, a move which upon completion and final regulatory approval, will see MSI increase both its US presence, as well as access to the fast-growing specialist managing general agent market for property, casualty, marine, and specialty business.

“Johan’s significant experience and knowledge of the US (re)insurance industry along with his extensive international contacts will help accelerate our plans to be the (re)insurer of choice for domestic US risks. Johan’s leadership strength and commitment to growth, alongside an unwavering determination to achieve, makes him the perfect choice to lead the next chapter in MSI’s growth story,” said Tamaki Kawate, director, head of international business of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co.

“With our recent acquisition of Transverse, alongside our other US companies, we will under Johan’s leadership, unlock the full potential of our businesses, collaborating both with head office teams in Japan as well as emerging businesses here in the US, to further enhance our differentiated proposition, and see MSI taking a leading position in all distribution and placement channels,” he added.

Shinichiro Funabiki, CEO at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, said:  “Andrew has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past two years, particularly through the measures he has put in place to create a best-in-class underwriting function with a relentless focus on client-service and profitability.

“I am confident that Andrew will continue with the great work that he, alongside the broader executive team, is doing to modernise and future proof the business. We remain fully committed to supporting MS AUL as the momentum builds behind its long-term growth strategy and its objective to become a leading Lloyd’s syndicate with a sustainable future.”

Funabiki added: “Johan’s commitment and contribution to MS AUL’s transformation has been outstanding, leading its successful return to profitability and significantly enhancing its future prospects. We’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with him as he spearheads MSI’s ambitious growth plans in the crucial US market.”

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