Atrium, a leading specialist insurer at Lloyd’s of London, has announced the appointment of John Fowle as the prospective Group CEO, taking over from Richard Harries, who is set to retire on the 30th of June.
Fowle joins from Chaucer, where he is currently the Group Chief Executive and Chief Executive of Chaucer Syndicates Limited, the group’s regulated Lloyd’s Managing Agent.
Atrium states he will take on the new role once he has fulfilled his notice responsibilities to Chaucer.
In the interim, James Lee, Atrium’s current Group COO and Agency Managing Director, will succeed Richard Harries as acting CEO “to ensure that the business has continuity of leadership.”
Meanwhile, Harries has agreed to serve as an adviser to the business and shareholders following his retirement as CEO.
According to Atrium, Lee has been an integral part of the Executive Team, working closely with Harries to develop the business over the years. He has been with Atrium since 2002.
As part of the changes James Cox (Atrium’s current Compliance Director) has been appointed as Managing Director and James Smith (Atrium’s current Deputy Compliance Officer) has been appointed as Compliance Officer.
Chris Stooke, Chair of Atrium, commented, “On behalf of the Board, I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to John as the new CEO of Atrium. John’s proven leadership, strategic acumen, and deep industry knowledge make him the ideal individual to lead us into our next chapter of growth.
“We also wish Richard Harries the very best of luck with his retirement. He has been an incredible asset to Atrium who has contributed hugely to the success of the business. He will be greatly missed by all who have worked with him over the years.”
Jim Carey, Managing Director of shareholder, Stone Point Capital, added, “We are excited to have John join Atrium. Atrium has an exemplary underwriting track record and ambitious plans. We believe that John is the right person to represent shareholders and all other stakeholders as the business grows and innovates.
“We are grateful for Richard Harries’ outstanding leadership and wish him the best in his retirement. We have enjoyed working with Richard. He has been a terrific partner and has played an integral role in bringing Atrium to its scaled, leadership position in the marketplace today.
“Further, we are appreciative that he will continue to serve as adviser to the business and shareholders following his retirement as CEO.”
John Fowle said, “I am looking forward to joining Atrium with great excitement and hope to help the business build further on the market-leading underwriting performance delivered under Richard’s leadership.”
Richard Harries commented, “There are many decisions one makes in their working life but undoubtedly my greatest was to join the team at Atrium Syndicate 609 back in 1997.
“They were bright, hardworking, well led and fun and had also delivered a run of unbroken profitable results. 26 years later, the last nine of which I have had the honour of being Group CEO, Atrium remains a fantastic business, affording staff with great opportunities for personal development and encouraging them to thrive.
Harries continued, “Syndicate 609 has continued its unbroken record of profitable results, we are over 200 people up from 11 in 1997 and our Gross Written Premium is now over GBP1Bn.
“Whilst the growth and financial success has been notable, I will look back with greater pride on the outstanding group of individuals we have put together at Atrium and it is them, under the leadership of James Lee and then John Fowle, who will now ensure the Atrium light continues to shine brightly in the London Insurance Market.”
