Argo Appoints Steve Eccles As International CEO
Bermuda-based Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd., an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products, announced the appointment of Steve Eccles to serve as the chief underwriting officer for its international business, subject to regulatory approval. He will begin in this role upon completing his notice period and will report to Jose A. Hernandez, head of international.
“Argo Group continues to build an impressive international platform with a growing bench of top-tier talent, and I’m pleased to have Steve join the team,” said Hernandez.
“His strong leadership experience and deep knowledge of the industry will serve us well in this newly created, cornerstone role. Steve’s expertise will be valuable as he works with the team to further establish our footprint as we strive to be a leading specialty lines insurer internationally.”
With more than 30 years of industry experience, Mr Eccles joins Argo from Travelers Insurance where he served as the active underwriter of syndicate 5000 and a director on both the Travelers Insurance Company Limited and Travelers Syndicate Management Limited boards.
In his executive role as leader of the syndicate, he had responsibility for driving syndicate performance and as such at various times he served as either a member or chairman of various management committees. He serves as an elected director on the board of the Lloyd’s Market Association [LMA]. He also serves as the chairman of the LMA underwriting committee.
Mr Eccles joins Argo following the recent closure of Argo Group’s Ariel Re acquisition and a series of strategic organisational updates and new international leadership hires in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Bruno Ritchie, director of underwriting and active underwriter for syndicate 1200, has announced plans to leave the company.
“We appreciate Bruno’s contributions and wish him the best in the future,” said Hernandez.