Canopius names new group chief executive

Zurich’s Inga Beale is taking over as group chief executive of Lloyd’s insurer Canopius in January.

Beale will report to current chairman and chief executive Michael Watson, who is now becoming executive chairman. 

Jim Giordano will continue to be group chief underwriting officer, Canopius said in a statement.

Beale will assume ultimate responsibility for all of Canopius’s operations in the United Kingdom and overseas. She has been global chief underwriting officer of Zurich Financial Services AG since 2009.

Watson said “For the past eight years, Jim Giordano and I have overseen the group’s operations.  We believe the scale and complexity of Canopius now require that we add an additional member to our most senior ranks to oversee the next stage of our development.  We are therefore delighted that Inga has agreed to join Canopius. 

“Inga has a wealth of experience in the (re)insurance industry, an international perspective and a broad range of skills covering underwriting management, mergers and acquisitions and organisational transformation.”