Ascot Group Limited, a global specialty insurance company based in Bermuda, has announced the appointment of Patrice Walch-Watson and Christopher Gallagher to its Board of Directors.
Kewsong Lee, Chairman of the Board of Ascot Group Limited, commented on the appointments: “Patrice and Chris are exceptional executives whose combined leadership, insights, and global experience will meaningfully enhance the Ascot Board. Each brings a distinct blend of expertise in their field that will help guide Ascot’s continued strategic evolution.”
Walch-Watson is a seasoned business lawyer and trusted advisor with deep experience in transactions, regulation, corporate governance and providing strategic counsel.
She currently serves as Senior Managing Director, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at CPP Investments, where she serves on the senior management team, senior investment committee and leads the global legal, compliance and corporate secretarial functions and provides oversight to the internal assurance and advisory function.
In addition, the executive serves on the Board of Trustees of Queen’s University and is a member of the Advisory Council to the Dean of Queen’s University Law School.
An accomplished insurance and reinsurance executive, Gallagher brings three decades of industry experience to his new position.
He most recently served as CEO of Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance and Executive Director at Sompo International, where he spearheaded a period of rapid transformation and profitable growth overseeing the company’s Commercial Insurance and Reinsurance business outside of Japan.
Gallagher initially joined Sompo International in September 2015 as Chief Risk Officer and Group Actuary before being promoted in April 2019. Prior to that, he worked at AXIS Capital from 2007 to 2015.
He then served as Chief Risk Officer for the Insurance segment and as a Senior Manager in the actuarial practice of Ernst & Young LLP in the UK.
Jonathan Zaffino, Ascot Group CEO and President, said: “I am thrilled to welcome both Chris and Patrice to Ascot as we continue on our mission to be a perfect partner for a less-than-perfect world. Their perspectives and unique experience will be a significant asset to our colleagues and clients alike.”
Sam Blaichman, Managing Director, CPP Investments and Ascot Director, added: “We look forward to collaborating with Chris and Patrice on Ascot’s corporate strategy as the company continues to scale. Their respective experience navigating complex global insurance and regulatory environments will be invaluable as the company builds on its record of strong performance and executes on its long‑term growth trajectory.”
