ANV names new consumer products team following Canopius team lift

ANV has named Sanjay Vara as head of consumer products for its Lloyd’s syndicate following a team lift by Canopius.

Vara will be responsible for the strategy and development of ANV’s growing warranty portfolio and pursuing global opportunities as well as developing strategic partnerships with key London market clients, ANV said.

The appointment marks a return to underwriting for Vara after a stint at JLT. He was previously managing director for Asia Pacific Warranty at AmTrust Europe and underwriting director at Domestic & General.

At D&G he managed John McGonigle – who left his post as ANV’s head of affinity & special risk to become head of warranty at Canopius.

ANV has also appointed Colin Parker as underwriter responsible for developing consumer products from Assurant Solutions.

Around 10 people resigned from ANV’s consumer products team and joined Canopius over the summer, including active personal lines underwriter Chris Biles, McGonigle, deputy head of consumer products David Swan.

However ANV said that its “most profitable underwriter”, Phillip Pearce, had remained at its syndicate 5820, as has assistant underwriter Tom Griggs.

ANV founder and chief executive Matt Fairfield told Insurance Times that he was not worried about his former team going after ANV’s warranty schemes from their new employer.

“There are a lot of logistics to change in schemes. It could be that thousands of people have to change their policy wordings and change their direct debit.

“They’re a competitor in the marketplace, but to specifically attack our book? I’m not worried,” he said.

Fairfield added: “We believe we’ve taken care of our most important core competencies and brought on people who live our value and think the ecosystem of ANV’s the right place to do consumer business.

“We’re very pleased with our new warranty team.”