Clearwater Underwriting, an Aquiline-backed managing general agent (MGA), has announced the appointment of Henry MacHale as Chief Executive Officer, a newly created role.
Bringing extensive experience across the specialty insurance market. MacHale will depart Sompo, where he currently serves as Chief Underwriting Officer & Head of Strategy, International Markets, prior to assuming his new position.
Prior to Sompo, he held senior roles at Aspen, including Portfolio Director for First Party & Specialty lines, CUO for AIUK Insurance, and Group Chief Strategy Officer, where he was closely involved in the private equity-backed liquidity event process.
MacHale’s appointment marks an important step in Clearwater’s development as it looks to build on the platform it has established and pursue its ambitions for the business.
Moving beyond its foundational Marine focus, Clearwater aims to build a leading multi-line specialty underwriting business, expanding into a broader range of specialty and niche classes.
The business plans to grow through a combination of new underwriting capabilities, expansion into selected classes and markets, and targeted M&A, supported by strong broker and capacity relationships.
Through this expansion, maintaining underwriting discipline and a focus on sustainable, long-term profitability will remain central to its growth, the firm highlighted.
Richard Young, Chief Underwriting Officer at Clearwater Underwriting, said: “The appointment of Henry as our Chief Executive Officer marks an important milestone for Clearwater. We have built a strong business with an experienced team and see significant opportunity for its continued development.
“Henry’s understanding of the specialty insurance market, commercial perspective and experience of businesses at different stages of growth and evolution make him a natural fit for Clearwater. We look forward to welcoming Henry to the team and to working with him as we continue to scale the business and broaden the opportunities available to Clearwater.”
MacHale, who is expected to take up the role in the second quarter of 2027, commented:
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Clearwater as CEO. I have been hugely impressed by the quality of the business, the expertise of the team and the ambition for its future. I look forward to working alongside the team to build on these foundations and deliver on Clearwater’s ambitions for the next phase of its development.
“I am extremely grateful to Sompo for the opportunities and experience I have gained during my time with the organisation. It has been a privilege to work as part of a leading global balance-sheet business, and I wish the team all the best for the ongoing growth and success of the business.”
