Japan-based insurer Sompo Canopius has launched a US ocean marine business. It will be led by John Ellis, who will be based in New York. Ellis will report to global head of marine, energy and engineering Mike Southgate. Ellis joins the company from XL Catlin, where he was most recently a regional vice president in the northeastern US, managing a marine and inland book. Prior to that he served in a similar role at International Marine Underwriters, having previously been a product line manager for hull and marine liabilities at RSA.
Angela Nolan has been appointed to the role of assistant vice president. She is a former marine underwriter at XL Catlin.
Southgate said: “It has become increasingly clear that to be competitive in this market, we need a presence in New York, closer to the business and our clients. We are excited to launch our US ocean marine business and it demonstrates the strength of Sompo Canopius that John, who has a great track record and reputation in the market, has decided to lead the operation. He has the profile and expertise that we were looking for and we believe that he and his team will enable us to develop a leading marine portfolio in the US market.”