Africa Specialty Risks (ASR), a developing markets-focused (re)insurance group, has appointed Trevor Oates (pictured) as its new head of reinsurance, the company announced Monday.
With offices across the continent and the Middle East, ASR offers local underwriting expertise, regional data insights, and a wide distribution network, helping capital partners expand their footprint in high-growth regions.
Oates will oversee ceded reinsurance purchasing across the ASR group, which includes underwriting platforms in Bermuda, Mauritius, and at Lloyd’s through Syndicate 2454. He will also collaborate closely with ASR’s capacity partners, including those backing the Baobab consortium at Lloyd’s, which concentrates on African markets.
“Trevor is [a] hugely experienced reinsurance executive, who has deep experience across our core products and geographies, along with strong relationships with the reinsurance market,” said Mikir Shah, chief executive officer at ASR. “I’m delighted to welcome him to ASR and help further our ceded reinsurance program.”
Oates brings nearly four decades of reinsurance experience to the role. He joins ASR from Canopius, where he spent 25 years in underwriting, most recently serving as a treaty underwriter. His portfolio included property, construction, engineering, political violence, and terrorism risks. He also led numerous reinsurance programs across Africa, the Middle East, and other emerging markets.
Before Canopius, Oates worked for Aon for seven years and began his career at Mercantile and General Reinsurance Company in 1987. In his new role, he will report to Shah.
“ASR is an exciting, dynamic and ambitious company,” said Oates. “I have been actively involved in building insurance capacity in Africa for more than 35 years, so I am really looking forward to working with Mikir and the team.”
This appointment marks the latest in a series of leadership changes at ASR as the company continues its expansion across developing markets.
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