People moves: AXIS Re, Kespry, Understory, and more
February 8, 2021 5:18 AM
Kespry, drone technology company for insurers and others, has named Krishnan Hariharan its next CEO. Previously, Krishnan served as the company's president and general manager. He replaces George Mathew who remains on the company's Board of Directors. Krishnan joined the company in 2020. "It has been a tremendous honor to lead Kespry these last four years; we are at an optimal moment for Krishnan to take the helm as Kespry accelerates into adjacent industrial markets,” says Mathew. “I'm thrilled for the future of Kespry and look forward to continuing working closely with Krishnan on the Board of Directors."
AXIS Re has named Katie Partington Howarth Chief Underwriting Officer and Head of the Reinsurance Products Division, reporting to AXIS Re CEO Steve Arora. Partington joins AXIS Re with past experience from Ariel Re as the Head of Underwriting Risk, and most recently she was Group Head of Ceded Reinsurance at Argo, responsible for strategy and implementation of the company’s treaty reinsurance and retrocessional purchases worldwide. “With a proven track record of success in underwriting and managing portfolios across multiple global markets, Katie will play an important role as we continue on our path to be a profitability leader in the reinsurance industry. We are excited by her energy and caliber,” says Arora.
Newfront Insurance, tech-enabled, full-service brokerage in San Francisco, CA, announce Jeff Chenu as Principal and Commercial Insurance Broker. He last worked at Relation Insurance for 17 years, most recently as a Vice President Newfront's Chief Growth Officer Raphael Parker
shares, "Jeff's deep industry expertise and tireless devotion to his clients aligns well with own brokerage values. From the moment we met Jeff his complete commitment to his clients was clear, and we are delighted that he believes Newfront is the best platform from which he can deliver customer value.”
shares, "Jeff's deep industry expertise and tireless devotion to his clients aligns well with own brokerage values. From the moment we met Jeff his complete commitment to his clients was clear, and we are delighted that he believes Newfront is the best platform from which he can deliver customer value.”
Understory, insurtech provider focusing on hail and other climate threats, has named Neil Irwin as Chief Strategy Officer to drive the company's strategic planning efforts. Bringing over three decades of leadership experience in roles across multiple geographies, Irwin recently served as CEO of Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa for Willis Towers Watson. "Neil exceeded our vision with his track record and passion for making insurance meet the challenge of climate change. He's the ideal industry leader to help us seize the opportunity ahead of us,” said Alex Kubicek, co-founder and CEO of Understory. Irwin shared, ”Understory’s technology and global risk model make it uniquely positioned to rethink the status quo and protect these climate-vulnerable businesses. I'm thrilled to be a part of it, and to invite a dialogue with any industry partner who shares our mission.”
St. James Insurance Group, insurance company for home and condominium owners throughout the states of Florida and South Carolina, announced Jonathan Mertz its new Vice President of Marketing. Mertz new role responsibility includes all process and service activities in underwriting and claims for St. Johns Insurance Company. Jesse Schalk, President of St. Johns Insurance Company shares, “I look forward to the steadfast leadership that Jonathan brings to the role of Chief Operating Officer.”