Hamilton Appoints Ashly Turner, Steve Blackwell
Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd. announced the appointments of Ashly Turner to lead US Energy Insurance and Steve Blackwell to lead US Life Sciences Insurance at Hamilton Select Insurance Inc., Hamilton’s newly-launched E&S insurer with a Financial Strength Rating of A- [Excellent] from A.M. Best Company, Inc.
A spokesperson said, “Over the past year, Hamilton has established and quickly grown its US E&S business, launched Hamilton Select, and began writing policies on its domestic paper, under the leadership of Clay Rhoades, CEO of Hamilton Select. That growth continues with Turner and Blackwell having hit the ground running in building out their respective lines of business. Reporting to Rhoades, they are both based in Hamilton’s new Richmond, Virginia office.”
“Turner joins Hamilton from Zurich North America where she held a senior underwriting role for energy casualty risks before which she was a Team Leader in the environmental unit at James River Insurance Company.
“Hamilton Select’s Energy division is targeting small-to-midsize hard-to-place risks in the energy-related contracting, exploration and production, renewables [including solar and wind], and petrochemical manufacturing and distribution sectors. Coverages available include General Liability [with pollution and professional options] and up to $5M in supported or unsupported excess limits for US-based risks with up to $25M revenues [exceptions made on a case-by-case basis].
“Blackwell comes to Hamilton having specialized in life sciences in his most recent two senior underwriting roles with Hanover Insurance Group and, more recently, Berkley Life Sciences. Hamilton Select’s Life Sciences division is focused on a broad range of hard-to-place risks engaged in research and/or commerce in the medical device, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical & cosmetic, contract research, and healthcare IT industry. Coverage may include products liability [with errors & omissions [E&O] and other supplemental coverage options] on a primary or excess basis.”
“It’s been a thrilling experience for everyone on our team to build a new US E&S insurer and our hard work is coming together to build a specialty market of choice for hard-to-place accounts,” said Rhoades. “I’m excited to welcome Ashly and Steve’s underwriting expertise to our already impressive team. The current market continues to offer plenty of opportunity for smart players.”
