Ascot names Mark Pepper president of global underwriting; creates consumer division

By Ashish Tiwari Sept 29 (The Insurer) — Specialty (re)insurer Ascot Group on Tuesday named longtime executive Mark Pepper president of global underwriting and reorganized its operations into specialty (re)insurance and consumer solutions divisions. Pepper, currently Ascot's group chief underwriting officer, will take up the new role on October 1. He will work with group CEO Jonathan Zaffino and the company's segment chiefs on growth, business development and coordination across Ascot's UK, US and Bermuda operations, the company said. Pepper joined Ascot in 2001 to lead its treaty reinsurance team and has been group CUO since 2009.

He will continue to report to Zaffino. As part of the restructuring, Elizabeth Johnson will become president of specialty insurance and reinsurance on October 1. The newly created division will include Ascot's global insurance and reinsurance underwriting businesses, including Global Specialty, Bermuda Specialty/Leadline Capital Partners and US Specialty. Johnson joined Ascot in 2020 and has held several North America and group operating roles, most recently serving as group chief operating officer.

Before Ascot, she held senior positions at Nationwide and AIG. Ascot also named Christopher Flatt president of its new consumer solutions unit, which will focus on consumer insurance products, including high-net-worth personal lines. Flatt, formerly AIG's global CEO, is due to join Ascot in early November and will join its global executive committee. The changes follow other recent adjustments to Ascot's US operating and distribution model, including a new regional leadership team, an expanded North America distribution role and the consolidation of seven US business segments into five product verticals.