Ascot Group Limited, the Bermuda-domiciled global specialty insurer, has appointed Michael Sevi as Ascot Group General Counsel, reporting to Group Chief Executive Officer and President, Jonathan Zaffino.
Simultaneously, the insurer has also promoted John Gill to the role of U.S. General Counsel, with immediate effect.
Sevi’s remit at the firm will be leading the Legal and Compliance organization, headed by Katy Wilson, General Counsel, U.K. and Bermuda, and John Gill, General Counsel, U.S.
Under Sevi’s leadership, the team will continue providing first-rate legal, regulatory, compliance, corporate secretarial, and product development services to Ascot’s growing organization.
Gill will report to Sevi, and Wilson will report to both Sevi and Ian Thompson, Chief Executive Officer and Director of AUL.
Thompson’s new role was recently announced and is subject to regulatory approval.
Sevi has an impressive legal background spanning private practice, government service, and the re/insurance industry.
Previously, he has served as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Guy Carpenter, Marsh McLennan’s reinsurance brokerage. His remit included leading a multi-disciplined legal and compliance team across six countries, managing complex cross-border litigation, M&A activities, and corporate governance activities, and serving as a member of the Guy Carpenter Executive Committee.
Before that, Sevi served as the group Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of Marsh McLennan. He has also held the role of Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Rick Scott of Florida, acting as the Governor’s senior policy advisor on insurance, reinsurance, financial regulation, and taxation.
Gill joined Ascot in 2021 serving most recently as the U.S. Associate General Counsel, Senior Vice President, Regulatory & Compliance. He has extensive experience working as legal, regulatory, and compliance counsel for large commercial insurance companies including Aspen, Berkley, and Beazley. He began his legal career as a Claims Correspondent Attorney for the marine insurance services firm Lamorte Burns.
Jonathan Zaffino, Chief Executive Officer & President, Ascot Group, commented, “I send my congratulations to John on his well-deserved promotion. John’s legal expertise, coupled with his knowledge of the Ascot US business and trust and respect of his colleagues make him an obvious choice for the role.
“I also warmly welcome Michael Sevi to Ascot and our first-rate team. I am confident that Michael’s extensive experience in the re/insurance industry will serve him well as he assumes the Chief Legal Officer role at Ascot Group. Both of these individuals bring a passion for the law and its application to our industry, a commitment to leadership and colleague development, and a deep appreciation of the importance of culture.”
