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Ascot Aligns U.S. Business for Its Next Phase of Growth
Ascot today announced a series of changes to its U.S. operating and distribution model designed to position the business for its next phase of growth and create a more connected, client-focused organization. The evolution includes a new U.S. Regional Executive Leadership team, an expanded North America Distribution role and the consolidation of seven U.S. business segments into five product verticals. Together, these updates will align underwriting expertise and regional leadership more closely around the exposures, geographies and client segments Ascot serves.
Stronger Regional Connectivity
Ascot’s new U.S. Regional Executive Leadership team will coordinate local market execution and key insured relationships across the Northeast, Southeast, Central and West. The model will support Ascot’s continued growth by connecting brokers with the company’s capabilities across product teams and regional markets.
Brian Chiolan, currently Executive Vice President, Head of Management and Professional Liability at Ascot, has been appointed U.S. Regional Executive Officer. Reporting to Matt Kramer, CEO of Ascot U.S., Brian will align regional distribution priorities with underwriting strategy across the company’s U.S. business.
Oliver Ade, currently Ascot’s Senior Vice President, Central Region Partnership Engagement Leader, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Regional Executive for Central. Jeff Canfield, currently Ascot’s Executive Vice President, Head of Specialty Casualty, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Regional Executive for the West. Recruitment is underway for Regional Executives in the Northeast and Southeast.
Expanded North America Distribution Leadership
Dane Lopes, currently Ascot’s Head of U.S. Partnership Engagement and Strategy, has been appointed Head of North America Distribution. In this expanded role, Dane will focus on connecting products, capabilities and underwriting expertise with North American distribution partners, while helping deepen strategic relationships and identify opportunities to deliver more effectively for clients across the region.
Complementing the regional leadership structure, U.S. members of Ascot’s distribution team will serve as National Broker Relationship Managers with assigned trading partner relationships and a focus on strengthening engagement with national broker leaders and account executives.
Dane will report to Steve Goldman, Group Head of Distribution, Marketing and Communications, supporting alignment across Ascot’s global distribution efforts.
Five Aligned U.S. Product Verticals
Ascot will organize its U.S. business into five product verticals, bringing naturally aligned capabilities together and broadening the solutions available to brokers and clients. This includes Marine & Specialty (including Ocean Marine, Inland Marine and Environmental); Casualty (E&S Casualty, Excess Casualty, Workers’ Compensation and Shared Risk Casualty); Surety; Financial Lines (AscotPRO and AscotEXEC); and Alternative Risk Solutions (Captives, Portfolio Solutions and Trade Credit).
Ted Mavraganis, currently Senior Vice President and Head of Environmental, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Head of Marine & Specialty. Mark Benz, currently Executive Vice President, Head of Alternative Solutions, will lead Alternative Risk Solutions, while Tara North, Executive Vice President, Head of Surety, will continue to lead Surety. Recruitment is underway for Casualty and Financial Lines leaders.
The appointments and new operating structure will take effect October 1.
About Ascot
Ascot is a leading global specialty insurance and reinsurance group offering property and casualty solutions to clients, with a 25-year track record of consistency and stability and ~$15 billion in total assets at year-end 2025. The company operates through an ecosystem of interconnected global platforms in offices across the United States, Bermuda and London, bound by a common mission to be a perfect partner for a less-than-perfect world.
Affiliates within the Ascot Group are rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company, A+ by Fitch Ratings Inc. and A by S&P Ratings.
Visit www.ascotgroup.com or follow the company on LinkedIn to learn more about its products and people.
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