Canopius strengthens UK Specialty with senior hires

Lloyd’s (re)insurer Canopius Group has announced two senior appointments as it looks to strengthen its UK Specialty business.

Tony Southern has been appointed head of distribution for its UK Specialty business unit and John Eldridge as managing director of its wholly owned subsidiary K Drewe Insurance Brokers (KDIB).

Southern brings extensive management experience to his new role including seven years at Hiscox, initially as head of UK direct products before being appointed European sales and marketing director. Southern will be responsible for the UK Specialty unit’s product development and distribution strategy and will report to UK Specialty chief executive Tim Rolfe. 

Meanwhile, Eldridge brings more than a decade of experience in the UK broking market to KDIB, including his most recent role as managing director of E Coleman and Co.

Rolfe said: “Tony has an exceptional track record in developing new business and distribution propositions, while John joins with the proven leadership ability necessary to build our distribution operations further. Both of these appointments will significantly enhance our management structure and indicate the scale of our ambitions to expand our UK Specialty business.”