Aspen selects new chief executive amid management reshuffle

Aspen has appointed Clive Edwards as its new chief executive of the company’s UK arm and its managing agency.

This decision is subject to regulatory approval. Edwards will replace Mike Cain who will now take on the role of group chief operating officer. 

It will see Edwards relinquish his role as co-chief underwriting officer of Aspen Insurance UK with Henry MacHale and Jamie Lewis becoming the two new co-chief underwriting officers for insurance and reinsurance respectively – both moves are subject to regulatory approval.

MacHale will retain his role as global head of specialty for Aspen Insurance and Lewis will continue his role as head of London, Aspen Re, and Specialty Re global product head. He will also retain his position as deputy active underwriter of Aspen’s Lloyd’s syndicate 4711.

Mark Cloutier, executive chairman and group chief executive said: “Clive was part of the original team at the outset of Aspen and has continually demonstrated an outstanding capability as an underwriting leader. His proven experience and expertise, and the high esteem in which he is held in the UK market, make him very well qualified to take on these roles.”

It follows Aspen’s Risk Management Limited being placed into run-off in May after ending its agreement. 

Strategic focus 

Aspen also announced that it has appointed a non-executive director for Aspen Insurance UK – Hannah Purves who will also join board in due course.

Previously, Purves was a board director and claims director at Markel International with responsibility for a claims team of over 130 people located throughout Europe, Canada, Asia and Latin America. She also served as a board member and deputy chair of the Lloyd’s Market association claims committee from 2014 to May 2019.

Cloutier added: “I am delighted to welcome Hannah to Aspen. She has an industry-leading claims reputation which will add further depth to our strategic focus on arguably the most important service that we deliver.”