Bermuda-headquartered, Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd., has announced two appointments for its newly launched US excess and surplus (E&S) insurer – Hamilton Select Insurance Inc.
Ashly Turner will lead the firms US Energy Insurance, and Steve Blackwell will lead US Life Sciences Insurance.
Throughout the last year, Hamilton has established and quickly grown its US E&S business, launched Hamilton Select, and also began writing policies on its domestic paper under the leadership of Clay Rhoades, CEO of Hamilton Select.
Rhoades was appointed to lead the new E&S insurer in February, 2022.
The growth will only continue, now with the appointments of Turner and Blackwell. They will both report to Rhoades and be based in Hamilton’s new Richmond, Virginia office.
Turner joins Hamilton from Zurich North America where she held a senior underwriting role for energy casualty risks, before which she was a Team Leader in the environmental unit at James River Insurance Company.
Meanwhile, Blackwell comes to Hamilton having specialized in life sciences in his most recent two senior underwriting roles with Hanover Insurance Group and, more recently, Berkley Life Sciences.
Addressing the appointments, Rhoades, said: “It’s been a thrilling experience for everyone on our team to build a new US E&S insurer and our hard work is coming together to build a specialty market of choice for hard-to-place accounts. I’m excited to welcome Ashly and Steve’s underwriting expertise to our already impressive team. The current market continues to offer plenty of opportunity for smart players.”
Hamilton Select recently received a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) from ratings agency, AM Best.
Furthermore, Hamilton Select’s Energy division is said to be targeting small-to-midsize hard-to-place risks in the energy-related contracting, exploration and production, renewables (including solar and wind), and petrochemical manufacturing and distribution sectors.
Coverages that are available include General Liability (with pollution and professional options) and up to $5 million in supported or unsupported excess limits for US-based risks with up to $25 million revenues.
Lastly, Hamilton Select’s Life Sciences division focuses on a broad range of hard-to-place risks engaged in research and/or commerce in the medical device, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical & cosmetic, contract research, and healthcare IT industry.
Coverage may include products liability, with E&O and other supplemental coverage options, on a primary or excess basis.