Argo Surety, a subsidiary of specialty insurer and reinsurer Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. has announced the appointment of David M. Layman to the newly created role of Vice President (VP) and Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), Contract Surety, effective immediately.
Layman joins Argo Surety with nearly three decades of surety experience in underwriting & managing contract surety portfolios, and also has experience with the agency side of the business. In his new role he will be responsible for managing the firm’s contract surety portfolio, and will be expected to establish contract surety underwriting guidelines, and also recruit and staff a contract underwriting team made up of professionals in several strategic cities in the U.S.
“As we continue to expand our surety business, David is joining Argo Surety at the perfect time. He has an excellent track record as a CUO for contract surety, and his vision and entrepreneurial spirit will fit right into our culture,” said Joshua Betz, Argo Surety President.
“David has a great reputation. He is a leader who will be involved in, and contribute to, every aspect of the growth and expansion into our contract surety segment. We are very excited to have David join us, and appreciate his long-term perspective on growing a portfolio,” he added.
Layman previously held the position of President and founder of Layman Surety Services, and prior to this he served as VP, Senior Manager, Contract Surety at NAS Surety/Swiss Re from 2002 to 2014.
On his new appointment, Layman said; “I’m very excited and honored to be able to bring my relationships and experience to an amazing leadership team at Argo Surety. I look forward to playing a significant role in the continued growth of the Argo Surety brand and positioning the company for the future.
“Argo Surety has a great underwriting culture that will provide the foundation for further expansion into contract surety. My goal over the next 10 years is to build a contract operation that is comparable to the highly successful commercial surety operation that is in existence today.”
