Pioneer launches Latin American operation to access regional business
Pioneer Underwriters (‘Pioneer’), today announces the launch of its Latin American business with the opening of a regional hub and the appointment of four highly regarded insurance professionals as Senior Vice Presidents. The move is consistent with group strategy to access local business that is placed in local markets and will be complementary to Pioneer’s well established international facultative underwriting operations in London.
Subject to relevant regulatory approval, the team will initially target Property and Casualty business, based in Mexico City and will report to Graeme Rayner, Pioneer’s Group Director of Underwriting. Rogelio Diaz has 22 years of experience in the Latin American market and formerly served as Facultative Chief Underwriting Officer Latin America & Caribbean at Odyssey Re. Working alongside Diaz will be Gabriel Buzo who, with 12 years of experience managing his line of business in the region, was formerly Head of Financial Lines and Liability across the Latin American region at Odyssey Re. They are joined by Paola Benitez who has 15 years’ experience in various areas of both insurance and reinsurance and is former Latin American Head of General Casualty and Financial Lines at Reasinter. The team is completed by Salvador Hernandez who brings with him 36 years experience and is former Latin American Territorial Leader at Gen Re.
Commenting on the news, Darren Doherty, Chief Executive Officer at Pioneer, said: “Our expansion into Latin America is another landmark in the development of the business. The team will add to our existing capabilities in the region and bring Pioneer’s capabilities closer to clients and local brokers. The Latin American team’s credentials speak for themselves and I’m delighted to welcome them to Pioneer.”
Rogelio Diaz commented on behalf of the team: “Pioneer’s unique operating model and innovative culture provides a great platform from which to trade going forward. We are excited to be part of this growing and dynamic organisation.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Haggie Partners
Peter Rigby Tel: + 44 20 7562 4444
Peter.rigby@haggie.co.uk
Samantha Whiteley Tel: + 44 20 7562 4444
Samantha.whiteley@haggie.co.uk
About Pioneer
Pioneer Underwriters, the underwriting group within Minova Insurance Holdings Ltd, operates Pioneer Syndicate 1980, which launched on 1 January 2018 with gross premium income of £278m underwriting a broad cross-section of business including Property, Casualty, Marine and Energy. As a Group, Pioneer manages circa £350m of premium through 22 underwriting teams across Property, Marine and Casualty classes. Pioneer underwrites via over 25 facilities operating through Lloyd’s and Non-Lloyd’s platforms. Pioneer has delegated authority arrangements with 29 markets, TOBA’s with 130 London and overseas brokers and nationwide distribution capability across the US.
For more information, visit: www.pioneeruw.com