Aventum appoints ex-Novae chief executive as non-executive chairman

Aventum has appointed Jonathan Butcher as its new non-executive chairman.

Butcher brings 35 years of industry experience to the group, having worked across the Lloyds and London market.

He most recently held executive roles at Novae Syndicates, with him serving as underwriting director and latterly as its chief executive.

Butcher had been top boss when the firm was sold to Axis in 2017 and led the syndicate through that process.

Before Novae, Butcher spent 13 years at Lloyd’s and 11 years at the Sturge Group in a variety of senior underwriting roles across multiple classes, with a focus on property and casualty.

’Impressed’

Speaking about joining Aventum, Butcher said the firm had a “dynamic management team” that is “highly creative”.

“The group has overt and seemingly limitless ambition and has a rare combination of all the right ingredients to succeed – an unashamed focus on specialty business, high calibre talent and a strong and inspirational independent culture, coupled with the investment it needs,” he said.

“I have been impressed with the management at Aventum and how it invests with confidence in its people, technology and infrastructure. All of this makes those ambitions highly achievable.”

David Bearman, chief executive at Aventum, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Butcher to the Aventum board.

“He has had a strong and illustrious career and has proven to be a highly capable guiding influence during a period of sustained fast growth for Rokstone over the last few years. I know that Aventum will also benefit greatly from his knowledge, experience and wisdom.”