International speciality re/Insurance MGA Rokstone has announced the launch of a specialist agriculture division for the US market as it looks to continue its expansion into the region.
The new division, Rokstone Agriculture Risk Underwriters, will be led by underwriting specialist Eric Conklin who has over 20 years’ experience underwriting livestock and equine business.
Prior to joining Rokstone, Conklin was the Head of Equine & Livestock Americas for AXA XL, where he managed the Equine portfolio and built a livestock business from the ground up.
“We are delighted Eric is joining us. We are an entrepreneurial people led business and the launch of this exciting new agriculture division is part of our strategy to expand in North America and diversify our speciality product range,” said Tony Lawrence, Rokstone’s Chief Digital Distribution Officer.
“Our specialist knowledge, use of technology and approach to underwriting means we can provide broader, more relevant cover, that’s quicker to secure than anywhere else.”
Conklin commented, “I am really excited to be joining Rokstone – its entrepreneurial DNA and its focus on creating long term value is inspiring.
“We’re launching this new division at such a pivotal moment in US agriculture underwriting. It is an area that has suffered from lack of innovation and the hard market has been punishing.
“We plan to kick off and disrupt the underwriting approach with one of the US market’s first online quote and buy facilities for livestock risks.
“Rokstone has had outstanding success with this approach in the UK where its agricultural team (iFarm Underwriting) is now the fastest growing agricultural MGA in the UK. We plan to leverage that expertise and technical capability here in the US and will be supported by A rated capacity partners.”
