Inigo is a global specialist in high-risk, high-capacity insurance and reinsurance, serving some of the world’s largest commercial and industrial enterprises.
Now five years in, we’re known not just for the risks we take on, but for how we think about them.
A significant part of our team comes from a data and analytics background, and it shows, in the way we underwrite, the partners we choose, and the outcomes we help our clients achieve.
We don’t see data as part of the process. It is the process. It shapes how we assess risk, how we make decisions, and how we see the world. That mindset runs through our culture. We value clear thinking, low ego, and a shared belief in doing things better.
For the love of data.
When Inigo began in 2020, it certainly wasn’t to follow a well-trodden path.
It was to rethink what (re)insurance could look like from the ground up.
Since then, that idea has grown into something bigger.
A company shaped by data, led by insight, and built around people who believe in doing things differently.
We didn’t just adopt a data-driven mindset, we built the entire business around it.
From how we underwrite to how we collaborate, we’ve created a culture that’s open, curious, and always forward-thinking.
That mindset still defines us. And these are the people who carry it.
Richard Watson
FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
George Stratts
HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS
Russell Merrett
FOUNDER AND CHIEF UNDERWRITING OFFICER
Matthew Rolph
HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION AND CAPITAL PARTNERS
Stuart Bridges
FOUNDER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Erdal Atakan
CHIEF OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Andrea Aakre
CHIEF PEOPLE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Vanessa Hartley
CHIEF RISK OFFICER
Alice Kaye
HEAD OF REINSURANCE
Maeve Grant
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Steve Agutter
HEAD OF CLAIMS
Adam Alvarez
HEAD OF CAPITAL AND CLIMATE STRATEGY
Craig Knightley
CHIEF UNDERWRITING OFFICER INSURANCE
Before founding Inigo, I spent 33 years with Hiscox Ltd. During this time, Hiscox grew to be the largest global specialist insurer, with GWP in excess of $4bn. My career saw me work through the ranks to become Chief Underwriting Officer – a position I held for seven years. Previously, my career encompassed multiple lines of business in insurance and reinsurance, culminating in becoming CEO of Hiscox Global Markets before I moved to Hiscox USA to serve as CEO during its formative years.
I am responsible for Partnerships, our newest venture at Inigo where we look to create bespoke solutions for our brokers, MGA partners and their respective portfolios. I am also a member of Inigo’s Executive Committee. I have been a leader in the insurance industry for over thirty years and my experience includes building diverse and global commercial property teams and leading organizations of all sizes. My technical expertise spans all lines of property and marine insurance in both regulated and non-regulated markets. Prior to joining Inigo, I was at AIG for nearly twenty years where I served in several roles including Chief Executive Officer of Lexington, President of Property and Special Risks and Chief Executive Officer of AIG’s Global Marine and Energy. I am an executive sponsor of Inigo’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. I am also President of The Focus Foundation, a non-profit that identifies and assists families and children who have chromosomal variations, Dyslexia, and developmental dyspraxia.
London, United Kingdom
[email protected]
With 25 years’ experience in the insurance sector, my career spans broking, underwriting and launching an insurtech, Kinsu, in 2017. I am the former Managing Director of Hiscox London Market. Having joined Hiscox in 1997 as a reinsurance underwriter, I spent my next 16 years in senior positions, including Active Underwriter for Syndicate 33. Before my time at Hiscox, I was a reinsurance broker at Greig Fester. Since 2015, I have served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of RenaissanceRe Syndicate Management. Previously, I was also Chair of the LMA’s Reinsurance Business Panel and served on the Non-Marine Committee.
Our underwriting wizardry is flanked by Capital and Distribution. Beyond our core investors, our passion is developing the very best third-party capital support, including reinsurers and co-insurers of our portfolio – supporters we see as partners. I lead the development, strategy and management of these partnerships, and how we distribute this capital to key brokers – ultimately benefiting policyholders. Pre-Inigo, I was in Hiscox’s Executive team, and previously led placement across Specialty and Retail for Marsh UK.
A chartered accountant, my previous roles include Chief Financial Officer of Control Risks Group, Chief Financial Officer of Nex Group plc (formerly ICAP plc) and Chief Financial Officer of Hiscox plc – a position I held for 16 years. Before Hiscox, I held numerous positions at financial services companies in the UK and US, including Henderson Global Investors. I am a Non-Executive Director, and Chair of the audit committee of Caledonia Investments plc and investment firm UIL Ltd. Previously. I was Chair of the LMA Finance Committee and a member of the ABI Finance Committee.
I lead our fantastic operations & technology teams. Our aim is to design and run a superior operating model whilst leveraging the best that technology, data & analytics has to offer. In doing so we empower our underwriting and claims teams to efficiently and knowledgably serve our partners and customers. To achieve this we work with a niche set of specialist service providers and deliver all systems using cloud native technology. We also make sure Inigo’s daily operations, resilience, vendor management and procurement activities run smoothly. Outside work, when not entertaining my two young kids I’m an exercise enthusiast and enjoy mountain biking around the Surrey Hills.
I head up our dynamic HR team. We support our Inigo colleagues to reach their full potential and succeed, while showcasing why outstanding talent should join us. I also drive diversity and inclusion – ensuring we reflect the clients we work with, and benefit from the different backgrounds, viewpoints and experiences a diverse team offers. In my free time, I love to travel and hike my way up the highest mountains.
As Inigo’s Chief Risk Officer, I bring over 25 years of experience in (re)insurance assurance functions within the Lloyd’s and London markets. Prior to joining Inigo, I held Head of Risk positions at Swiss Re, Catlin and China Re; developing the risk function through periods of internal and regulatory change. I also qualified as a Chartered Accountant with EY.
At Inigo, I am a member of the IMAL Board and Executive Committee and hold the SMF4 position. I oversee the Enterprise Risk Management Framework, ORSA process and Internal Model Validation. I report directly to the Inigo CEO and have a dotted reporting line to the Chair of the Risk and Investment Committee.
I am dedicated to delivering a high level of expertise and leadership in shaping Inigo’s risk framework and risk culture.
I am Head of Reinsurance at Inigo, where I lead our dynamic team and shape our growing portfolio. We focus largely on short-tail lines of reinsurance, both Property and Specialty. I am a qualified actuary as well as an experienced reinsurance underwriter, having spent a decade at PartnerRe and Everest Re prior to joining Inigo in 2021. I have a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Oxford. My other career choice was as a professional bridge player, and I dream of regaining some of my prior form. I am a mother to two young girls, who bring me much joy and keep me on my toes!
As Chief Investment Officer, I ensure our portfolios generate a competitive return for the right level of risk, and our invested assets play nicely with our liabilities. I do this by working with fantastic external managers and leveraging as much Inigo knowledge as I can. Outside work, I am a non-committed hobbyist. I’ll try anything (most likely terribly) and have been knitting a scarf for my mother for about seven years. I’ll finish it one day.
As Head of Inigo’s claims department, I am responsible for all classes of business. I bring 30+ years of insurance claims experience to Inigo and was formerly AIG’s Chief Claims Officer, International responsible for management of all Commercial & Personal Lines claims across the International & Speciality Divisions. I specialise in Property & Energy claims as well as Catastrophe response and will also oversee all inwards/ceded Reinsurance claims at Inigo. I have been at Inigo since the start joining in December 2020 and I sit on the Inigo Executive Committee.
The risks faced by Inigo and our clients are a reflection of the risks faced by the real economy. The perils caused by extreme weather could not be more important and we dedicate considerable effort to deepening our understanding of climate and climate change. Climate risk is also the biggest driver of our capital needs. I work with existing and potential investors to ensure that we have the capital that we need to support our business as it grows. Prior to Inigo, I spent time as a reinsurance underwriter and consulting on the topic of alternative reinsurance capital.
Running our Casualty and Financial Lines involves refining our underwriting teams’ annual plan from reinsurance strategy to deciding which sub-segments are (and aren’t) most profitable. I also focus on career development and how we can support people to achieve their individual aspirations. When I’m not a taxi for my two young boys, I like playing and watching most sports, particularly football. I’m also studying for an Executive MBA. It’s a lot of work – but fun.
CHAIRMAN
I became Chairman of Inigo Limited on 1 December 2020. Before this, I chaired the UK Financial Services Authority from 1997 to 2003 and served as Chairman of the Phoenix Group from August 2015 to October 2021. I also chaired the UK Airports Commission from 2012 to 2015 and later became Chairman of the NatWest Group, a role I held from September 2015 to April 2024.
Earlier in my career, I served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of England from 1995 to 1997, following three years as the Director General of the Confederation of British Industry. I am also a Professor at Sciences Po, Paris, where I teach courses on financial regulation and central banking.
CHAIR OF THE RISK AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
I joined the Inigo Board as the Chair of the Risk and Investments Committee in 2022. I am also a member of the Boards of British Gas Insurance, where I serve as the Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Risk Committee, Coop Insurance Services, and Moody’s Ratings UK, as well as the French and German supervisory boards.
Prior to building my portfolio of independent director roles, I spent over 20 years at the Financial Services Authority (the predecessor regulator to the PRA and FCA), followed by four years with Aegon UK as their Group Regulatory Risk Director. During my time at the FSA, I held a variety of supervisory and policy roles, including Head of Department supervising Lloyd’s of London and the London Market.
Non-Executive Board Director
I have spent over 30 years working in the financial services sector, in both audit and consulting, at Price Waterhouse and Ernst & Young. During that time, I worked with many audit clients in the insurance sector, including Allianz, Aviva, Axa, and Swiss Re. My Lloyd’s Syndicate experience includes working with Catlin and Kiln. My consulting experience has primarily focused on transaction support, risk management, and regulation.
Since 2012, I have served as a non-executive director, chairing audit committees at LV, which had a large general insurance book, and Rathbones, the FTSE 200 Wealth and Asset Manager, where I also served on their Risk Committees. Additionally, I have chaired a Building Society and a privately owned property company.
I was appointed to the Inigo Limited Board in 2020 and currently serve as the Chairperson of the Audit Committee.
I was appointed to the Inigo Limited Board in December 2020. Before that, I served as Group HR Director of AON PLC for 10 years before taking early retirement in December 2019.
I also held the position of Group HR Director at the reinsurance company Benfield Ltd. In total I have over 30 years of experience as an HR Director within the financial services sector, working at C-suite level. My board experience also includes serving as an Independent Non-Executive Director at McGill and Partners Ltd, a specialist (re)insurance broker.
I am currently the Chairperson of Inigo’s Performance and Remuneration Committee.
Before passing the baton upon my retirement, I was a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Oak Hill Capital Partners LP and chaired the firm’s Investment Committee. Over my 30+ year career in private equity, I served on more than 30 private and public boards of directors.
Prior to Oak Hill Capital, I was a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Insurance Partners LP – the lead sponsor of Tarquin Plc, the first corporate capital vehicle at Lloyd’s.
Prior to moving into private equity in 1990, I was a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers where I was Co-Head of High Yield Securities, involved in the first ever interest rate swap and led the formation of the firm’s first Capital Markets New Products Group. Today I am a private investor and serve as a non-executive director on a variety of private company boards in the financial services, healthcare, and food & ag sectors as well as not-for-profit boards.
At Inigo, I serve as advisor to and board representative for Oak Hill Advisors.
Investor Director
I am Co-President of J.C. Flowers & Co., responsible for our European activities. Before joining in 2009, I worked with J.C. Flowers & Co. as Co-Head of FPK Capital. Prior to that, I was Head of Private Equity at Dresdner Bank and a member of the Institutional Restructuring Unit’s Executive Committee. My experience also includes serving as a Board Director of Schroders in Hong Kong and Tokyo. I currently serve or have served on the boards of various financial services companies in the J.C. Flowers portfolio.
I am a Managing Director and Operating Partner in CDPQ’s Private Equity team, and a member of the Global Portfolio Management Committee. I have over 20 years’ experience as an active investor, board director, CEO, and advisor of private companies across a range of sectors, including financial services, business services, and technology. Prior to joining CDPQ, I was a Partner at Montagu Private Equity, CEO of a private equity-backed European infrastructure provider, Partner at Bain & Co, and start-up entrepreneur.
I have over 30 years of experience working in financial services. Currently, I head the Financial Institutions Department at QIA, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar.
Prior to joining QIA in 2019, I served as a Managing Director at Barclays Investment Bank, where I led Global Finance Solutions, a cross-disciplinary product and advisory team providing transactional solutions and strategic advice to financial institutions worldwide. Before my time at Barclays, I headed the EMEA New Products team at Citigroup.
I hold a Master of Business Administration from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University and bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and European history from the University of Pennsylvania. I am also a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
We raised $800m of capital in Q4 2020.
We bought a Lloyd’s managing agency and created Inigo. Through Lloyd’s, we gained access to a high security rating and international licences.
All legacy business was retained by the previous owner, allowing us to start 2021 with a clean balance sheet.
On 1 January 2021, we started writing Reinsurance, Property D&F and GL.
In February, we added D&O and Marine and Energy Liability.
In June 2021, we wrote our first terrorism policy.
We started writing Aviation War in Q3 2021.
$412m
We wrote $412m GWP in our first year – making us the biggest start-up syndicate in Lloyd’s history.
We added Onshore Energy and Financial Institutions in Q2 2022.
$802m
We doubled our GWP to $802m in 2022.
Hosted the first Inigo D&O panel event following the launch of our inaugural Defense Counsel Survey.
We started writing Cyber in April 2023.
We delivered a series of Inigo events: a Hackathon to aid our innovation; a Climate, Catastrophe and Capital event for property D&F and an inaugural Lloyd’s Women’s Cricket Festival.
We formed a new data-first strategic partnership with IoT company Samsara, the first of its kind in the US fleet transport sector.
$1,083m
We grew to $1,083m GWP in our third year.
We formed the Partnerships business unit in Q1 2024.
Our Partnerships team entered the US High Valued Homeowners market via our partnership with J&J/Motion Specialty.
