Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers (RSUM), the underwriting management division of Ryan Specialty, has announced the rebranding of Leopanthera to Ryan Financial Lines, effective January 1, 2026.
A specialist in underwriting diversified financial lines on a worldwide basis, Leopanthera joined Ryan Specialty through the acquisition of Innovisk Capital Partners in November 2024.
Since its establishment in 2017, the team has earned a strong reputation for delivering market-leading financial risk solutions across London and international markets.
Today, they trade with more than 50 Lloyd’s brokers in 105 countries, allowing them to serve 1,200 insureds across 67 industries, supported by high quality underwriting capacity.
Liz Hanlon and Paul Russell, previously co-founders of Leopanthera, have joined Ryan Specialty’s London office as Managing Directors for the international division of Ryan Financial Lines.
The two bring more than 60 years of combined experience in financial lines underwriting and global specialty markets.
Hanlon has held key leadership positions at companies including RGB, M.E. Warrington, Markel, Argo, and DUAL, while Russell’s background includes senior roles at Pembroke, Encon, DUAL, and AIG, where he led Financial Institutions.
This addition of the Leopanthera team significantly strengthens Ryan Financial Lines’ international portfolio, providing deep expertise in the global financial lines sector.
Rich Winborn, CEO of Ryan Financial Lines, International, commented: “The rebrand to Ryan Financial Lines marks an exciting milestone in our international growth strategy. Liz and Paul have built an exceptional business with a global footprint and a reputation for excellence.
“We are proud to integrate their team into the Ryan Financial Lines family. This expansion broadens our global footprint and strengthens our ability to deliver bespoke, best-in-class coverage for complex financial risks across diverse markets.”
RSUM also announced the promotions of key individuals for the Ryan Financial Lines executive team, including Patrick Mitchell as President of North America, RFL, Rich Winborn, CEO of International, RFL, and George Paraskeva, Global Managing Director of Cyber, RFL.
Prior to his new appointment, Mitchell served as Chief Operation Officer and Chief Underwriting Officer for RFL and joined the MGU in 2024.
He has over 20 years of management and professional liability underwriting expertise, rising to various leadership positions including managing an SME Financial Lines team and portfolio of a global insurer. As President of North America, RFL, Mitchell will oversee the US and Canadian operations for RFL.
Winborn joined Ryan Specialty in 2024 as part of its acquisition of Innovisk Capital Partners. As CEO of International, Winborn will oversee the international operations of RFL.
The executive is a former corporate lawyer who became an M&A underwriter in the financial lines division of a global insurer in 2010. In 2019, he partnered with Innovisk launching Themis in 2019, which he ran successfully for six years prior to joining Ryan Specialty.
Paraskeva first joined Ryan Specialty through EmergIn Risk in August 2021 bringing a diverse background of experience in both cyber insurance and the wider cybersecurity industry.
He previously worked at a space MGA, leading the day to day Cyber underwriting capability while also managing the MGA’s technical cyber security proposition. Prior to this MGA, he built and managed the Information Security function at a global insurer.
