Catalina appoints Armour's Steve Ryland as UK chief executive

Bermuda-based Catalina Holdings has appointed Steve Ryland as chief executive of its UK operations as part of the company's effort to strengthen its global management team.

With over 30 years of insurance and reinsurance experience, Ryland joins the business from Armour where he was a member of the executive management committee and instrumental in the development of Armour’s business from inception. Prior to joining Armour, he was an executive director with PRO Insurance Solutions – Swiss Re’s former service entity.

In his new role, Ryland will oversee Catalina UK operations, helping drive all aspects of its strategy, including integration of its substantial UK employers liability books of business, driving operational efficiencies, identifying and executing on market consolidation opportunities.

Ryland will start his new role in January next year, subject to regulatory approval.

Catalina recently completed the largest portfolio transfer of UK employers’ liability policies in a $2 billion transfer to Catalina General in Bermuda from Zurich Insurance. Since being founded in 2005, the business has completed 28 transactions with total liabilities of $7.5 billion.

Chris Fagan, chief executive of Catalina Holdings, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Steve to the business. He is an industry heavyweight that we have long admired and he brings with him a wealth of experience that will be invaluable as we continue to execute on our strategy.

“He joins the business at a very exciting time, following the completion of our largest ever transaction in the UK and a successful fundraise that provides us with the financial firepower to execute on a wide range of market opportunities.”

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