Ascot has promoted Elizabeth Johnson to the role of COO, North America insurance.
According to the firm, the newly formed leadership position will have oversight for the strategic direction of an integrated underwriting, data, and operational organisation which provides streamlined support functions across Ascot’s North America businesses. She will continue to report to Jon Zaffino, group president, and will work closely with Ascot’s North America company CEOs, comprised of Ascot Bermuda, Ascot Specialty Insurance, and Ethos Specialty, the group’s wholly owned MGU.
Zaffino said: “Under Elizabeth’s leadership, we’ve advanced our underwriting culture and frameworks, refined our many underwriting portfolios, and made strategic improvements to our overall risk profile. This, in turn, has promoted our goal to achieve long-term sustainable resiliency across both our operational efficiency and risk-adjusted returns.”
He added: “I am thrilled to continue partnering with Elizabeth in this broadened remit as we advance our strategic agenda in the pursuit a modern, tech-centric insurer.”
Johnson joined Ascot in September 2020 as chief underwriting officer, North America. Prior to joining Ascot, she was Managing Director at Nationwide, after almost two decades at AIG where she held several senior underwriting and management roles, including head of excess casualty, North America and global head of excess casualty. In her new role, she will continue to have direct oversight of the North America Corporate Underwriting Office, Business Intelligence, Ceded Reinsurance, Risk, and Pricing Actuarial.
This is not the only new position created and filled at Ascot. At the beginning of the month, it appointed Brian Chiolan into the newly created position of executive vice president, management and professional liability. The firm also appointed Tara Quigley as executive vice president and head of surety, and made Justin Keith its CUO for casualty and specialty in Bermuda in April.
