AXIS Capital Holdings Limited, a Bermuda-based global specialty insurer and reinsurer, has announced it has agreed to acquire the renewal rights to DUAL North America’s (DUAL) Excess Liability business.
DUAL operates as a specialty program administrator and part of DUAL Group, the specialist underwriting arm of Howden Group.
As part of the transaction, John Kopach, who has served as DUAL’s Executive Vice President of Excess Liability will join AXIS.
Kopach will be based in the company’s Atlanta office, serving as the Head of Wholesale Lower Middle Market, succeeding Britt Smith, who retired from AXIS in August.
He will be reporting to Head of North America Mike McKenna, who commented: “This transaction reflects the strong partnership and strategic relationship that AXIS shares with DUAL, and we are enthused to add this high-quality Excess Liability book to our Casualty platform.
“With this agreement, we are very excited to welcome John into the AXIS organisation as head of our Wholesale Lower Middle Market unit.”
In the coming weeks, AXIS and DUAL will work closely together to ensure a seamless transition for brokers and policyholders, with limited interruption of service throughout the process.
Ed Ashby, Chief Executive Officer, DUAL North America, said: “Our relationship with AXIS goes back many years, and this transaction is a reflection of how much that partnership continues to grow and evolve.
“It positions DUAL to double down on the parts of our Casualty business where we see the clearest path to lead, while giving this book a strong home to keep building on what’s been achieved. John has done excellent work growing this business, and we’re grateful for his contributions to DUAL. We wish him continued success at AXIS.”
