Anniversary

Ascot's 25th anniversary

A Message From Our CEO

Jon Zaffino

To our valued Ascot community:

Ascot proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary this year – a milestone that reflects our enduring commitment to partnership and resilience in a less-than-perfect world. On behalf of all my Ascot colleagues, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your trust and collaboration over the years.

Ascot’s journey began on October 1, 2001, when we opened our doors at Lloyd’s during one of the most unprecedented periods of uncertainty in insurance history. In the wake of the tragic September 11 attacks, our founders saw a need and accelerated our planned January launch in order to provide critical capacity to an exceptionally tentative market. This spirit of agility and purpose has guided Ascot ever since, allowing us to grow and adapt while remaining true to our founding vision: Ascot is a company that is steadfast in the storm, seeing clear through chaos and standing by our clients and the market when they need us most.

While our beginnings at Lloyd’s parallel the industry’s own inception, today Ascot operates across three thriving platforms in the U.S., Bermuda, and London, forming a “golden triangle” of global specialty insurance. From Property and Marine to Casualty, Specialty and Financial Lines, we have launched more than 200 products to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving risk landscape, navigated through more than 250 CAT events, and paid over $12B in claims since inception.

And we’re not done. In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, we are always ready to respond when new needs arise – whether that be through traditional markets (we added 16 new capabilities to our global suite in 2025) or alternative risk solutions (like our recently expanded Captives and parametric capabilities). Our 1,100+ global colleagues know that the world will never be perfect, but the Ascot team sets out to be a perfect partner to our clients each day by helping to solve problems, large and small, through innovation, entrepreneurship, and a fierce commitment to client service.

Reaching this anniversary is a proud milestone, made possible through our talented colleagues who have been with us on this 25-year journey, and especially due to the continued partnership of the entire Ascot community – for which we are ever grateful.

Here’s to the next 25 years.

With warm regards,

Jonathan Zaffino
Ascot Group CEO and President

25

Years of Excellence

1,110+

Global Employees

200+

Insurance Solutions

$15B

Total Assets

Key Moments at Ascot Through the Years

2001

Company launches with the establishment of Syndicate 1414 at Lloyd’s, together with its Managing Agent Ascot Underwriting Limited (AUL).

2003

Ascot grows to 10 lines of business at Lloyd’s including Aviation War, Cargo, Energy, Fine Art, Hull, Marine Liability, Political Risks, Property, Specie, and Treaty Reinsurance.

2007

Ascot opens its first U.S. office in Houston, Texas to focus on growing insurance energy market, writing business for and on behalf of Lloyd’s Syndicate 1414.

2009

Mark “Sarge” Pepper, a day-one colleague, appointed Chief Underwriting Officer of Ascot Underwriting Limited.

2014

Ascot opens office in Hamilton, Bermuda, expanding its geographic footprint and offering insurance and reinsurance optionality to meet market needs.

2016

Ascot is acquired by the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and restructured under a new holding company, Ascot Group Limited.

2017

Ascot launches Ethos Specialty, a Managing General Underwriter (MGU) to address changing market needs and further distribution efforts.

2018

Ascot launches standalone U.S. Specialty Insurance platform, providing access to the largest insurance specialty market in the world.

Mark Smith promoted to Chief Risk Officer.

2009

Mark “Sarge” Pepper, a day-one colleague, appointed Chief Underwriting Officer of Ascot Underwriting Limited.

2014

Ascot opens office in Hamilton, Bermuda, expanding its geographic footprint and offering insurance and reinsurance optionality to meet market needs.

2016

Ascot is acquired by the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and restructured under a new holding company, Ascot Group Limited.

2017

Ascot launches Ethos Specialty, a Managing General Underwriter (MGU) to address changing market needs and further distribution efforts.

2018

Ascot launches standalone U.S. Specialty Insurance platform, providing access to the largest insurance specialty market in the world.

Mark Smith promoted to Chief Risk Officer.

2019

Ascot begins its "Golden Triangle" era, operating in three core geographies: London, Bermuda, and the U.S.

  • Group

    Ascot joins the British American Business organization.

  • USA

    To meet specialty insurance client needs, Ascot launches Environmental, Inland Marine, Management Liability and Financial Institutions businesses in the U.S.

  • UK

    Building on a history of innovation, Ascot partners on A2B Consortium at Lloyd’s, a technology-driven cargo solution.

2020

Jonathan Zaffino joins as Group President responsible for Ascot's Bermuda and U.S. insurance and reinsurance operations.

  • USA

    Elizabeth Johnson joins Ascot as Chief Underwriting Officer, North America.

  • USA

    Ascot U.S. establishes its Portfolio Solutions (programs) group, creating a diverse ecosystem of partnerships through MGAs and MGUs to address a growing range of risk issues.

  • UK

    Continuing to expand its international (Non-U.S.) capabilities, Ascot adds Professional Indemnity business to the Lloyd’s casualty book.

2021

Ascot crosses $2B in GWP and surpasses 500 employees

  • USA

    Matthew Kramer joins as Chief Executive Officer, Ascot U.S.

  • USA

    Ascot acquires AmFed National Insurance Company, granting access to U.S. Workers’ Compensation market.

  • USA

    Expanding its offerings in the U.S., Ascot initiates writing Surety business.

  • BERMUDA

    Ian “Tommo” Thompson promoted to Chief Executive Officer, Bermuda.

  • UK

    Ascot partners on InsurTech solution for a vaccine cargo facility at Lloyd’s.

  • UK

    Led by Mark “Sarge” Pepper, Ascot Reinsurance launches to provide a single point of entry for all Ascot reinsurance products and capabilities, regardless of geography.

    Article

2022 -2023

Jonathan Zaffino appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer & President

  • UK

    Ascot launches Lloyd’s Consortia business, a specialty insurance offering utilizing Ascot’s underwriting acumen to lead complex space, aviation, international property and cargo placements.

  • UK

    Ascot UK partners on $50m Ukraine grain and food product export facility.

    Article
  • Group

    William E. Thygeson Jr. joins Ascot as Head of Human Resources for North America.

  • Group

    Mark Wilcox joins as Group Chief Financial Officer.

  • USA

    Introduction of AscotPRO®, branding and streamlining of Ascot’s robust suite of U.S. Cyber & Professional Liability solutions.

    Article
  • AscotPRO

2024

BellTower Partners invests in Ascot and Kewsong Lee named Chairman

  • UK

    Ian Thompson, appointed UK, Chief Executive Officer.

  • Group

    Ascot sells Ethos Specialty.

  • Group

    Ascot launches mission statement: A perfect partner for a less-than-perfect world.™

  • Group

    Michael Sevi joins as Group General Counsel.

  • Bermuda

    Ascot launches Bermuda Marine and Energy Treaty reinsurance business.

  • Bermuda

    Ascot launches Leadline Capital Partners™, a proprietary 3rd party capital management platform in Bermuda.

    Article
  • USA

    Launch of Alternative Risk Solutions group focused on captives solutions, fronting opportunities and future growth in the alternative risk transfer space.

2025

Assigned A+ (Strong) Fitch rating and A (Strong) S&P Global Ratings

  • Group

    Marc Amen joins as Chief Executive Officer, North America.

    Article
  • Group

    Ascot surpassed 1,100 global employees.

  • Group

    Steven Goldman joins as Global Head of Distribution.

  • Bermuda

    Launch of Wayfare Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda-based reinsurance sidecar.

    Article
  • USA

    Ascot announced AscotEXEC™ brand for enhanced Management Liability Solutions.

    Article

Key Moments at Ascot Through the Years

2001

Company launches with the establishment of Syndicate 1414 at Lloyd’s, together with its Managing Agent Ascot Underwriting Limited (AUL).

2003

Ascot grows to 10 lines of business at Lloyd’s including Aviation War, Cargo, Energy, Fine Art, Hull, Marine Liability, Political Risks, Property, Specie, and Treaty Reinsurance.

2007

Ascot opens its first U.S. office in Houston, Texas to focus on growing insurance energy market, writing business for and on behalf of Lloyd’s Syndicate 1414.

2009

Mark “Sarge” Pepper, a day-one colleague, appointed Chief Underwriting Officer of Ascot Underwriting Limited.

2014

Ascot opens office in Hamilton, Bermuda, expanding its geographic footprint and offering insurance and reinsurance optionality to meet market needs.

2016

Ascot is acquired by the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and restructured under a new holding company, Ascot Group Limited.

2017

Ascot launches Ethos Specialty, a Managing General Underwriter (MGU) to address changing market needs and further distribution efforts.

2018

Ascot launches standalone U.S. Specialty Insurance platform, providing access to the largest insurance specialty market in the world.

Mark Smith promoted to Chief Risk Officer.

2009

Mark “Sarge” Pepper, a day-one colleague, appointed Chief Underwriting Officer of Ascot Underwriting Limited.

2014

Ascot opens office in Hamilton, Bermuda, expanding its geographic footprint and offering insurance and reinsurance optionality to meet market needs.

2016

Ascot is acquired by the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and restructured under a new holding company, Ascot Group Limited.

2017

Ascot launches Ethos Specialty, a Managing General Underwriter (MGU) to address changing market needs and further distribution efforts.

2018

Ascot launches standalone U.S. Specialty Insurance platform, providing access to the largest insurance specialty market in the world.

Mark Smith promoted to Chief Risk Officer.

2019

Ascot begins its "Golden Triangle" era, operating in three core geographies: London, Bermuda, and the U.S.

Group

  • Ascot joins the British American Business organization.

USA

  • To meet specialty insurance client needs, Ascot launches Environmental, Inland Marine, Management Liability and Financial Institutions businesses in the U.S.

UK

  • Building on a history of innovation, Ascot partners on A2B Consortium at Lloyd’s, a technology-driven cargo solution.

2020

Jonathan Zaffino joins as Group President responsible for Ascot's Bermuda and U.S. insurance and reinsurance operations.

USA

  • Elizabeth Johnson joins Ascot as Chief Underwriting Officer, North America.

USA

  • Ascot U.S. establishes its Portfolio Solutions (programs) group, creating a diverse ecosystem of partnerships through MGAs and MGUs to address a growing range of risk issues.

UK

  • Continuing to expand its international (Non-U.S.) capabilities, Ascot adds Professional Indemnity business to the Lloyd’s casualty book.

2021

Ascot crosses $2B in GWP and surpasses 500 employees

USA

  • Matthew Kramer joins as Chief Executive Officer, Ascot U.S.

USA

  • Ascot acquires AmFed National Insurance Company, granting access to U.S. Workers’ Compensation market.

  • Expanding its offerings in the U.S., Ascot initiates writing Surety business.

BERMUDA

  • Ian “Tommo” Thompson promoted to Chief Executive Officer, Bermuda.

UK

  • Ascot partners on InsurTech solution for a vaccine cargo facility at Lloyd’s.

  • Led by Mark “Sarge” Pepper, Ascot Reinsurance launches to provide a single point of entry for all Ascot reinsurance products and capabilities, regardless of geography.

    Article

2022 -2023

Jonathan Zaffino appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer & President

UK

  • Ascot launches Lloyd’s Consortia business, a specialty insurance offering utilizing Ascot’s underwriting acumen to lead complex space, aviation, international property and cargo placements.

  • Ascot UK partners on $50m Ukraine grain and food product export facility.

    Article
Group

  • William E. Thygeson Jr. joins Ascot as Head of Human Resources for North America.

  • Mark Wilcox joins as Group Chief Financial Officer.

USA

  • Introduction of AscotPRO®, branding and streamlining of Ascot’s robust suite of U.S. Cyber & Professional Liability solutions.

    Article
  • AscotPRO

2024

BellTower Partners invests in Ascot and Kewsong Lee named Chairman

UK

  • Ian Thompson, appointed UK, Chief Executive Officer.

Group

  • Ascot sells Ethos Specialty.

  • Ascot launches mission statement: A perfect partner for a less-than-perfect world.™

  • Michael Sevi joins as Group General Counsel.

Bermuda

  • Ascot launches Bermuda Marine and Energy Treaty reinsurance business.

  • Ascot launches Leadline Capital Partners™, a proprietary 3rd party capital management platform in Bermuda.

    Article
USA

  • Launch of Alternative Risk Solutions group focused on captives solutions, fronting opportunities and future growth in the alternative risk transfer space.

2025

Assigned A+ (Strong) Fitch rating and A (Strong) S&P Global Ratings

Group

  • Marc Amen joins as Chief Executive Officer, North America.

    Article

  • Ascot surpassed 1,100 global employees.

  • Steven Goldman joins as Global Head of Distribution.

Bermuda

  • Launch of Wayfare Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda-based reinsurance sidecar.

    Article
USA

  • Ascot announced AscotEXEC™ brand for enhanced Management Liability Solutions.

    Article

Ascot’s logo evolution

  •  Ascot’s logo evolution

    2001 - 2004

  • 2005 – 2021

  • 2021 - Present

  • 25th Anniversary

  •  Ascot’s logo evolution

    2001 - 2004

  • 2005 – 2021

  • 2021 - Present

  • 25th Anniversary