Arch Insurance promotes Michael O’Neill to lead renewables underwriting

He will oversee global renewables portfolio, focusing on wind, solar, and battery storage

Arch Insurance promotes Michael O’Neill to lead renewables underwriting

Insurance News

By Kenneth Araullo

Arch Insurance International has announced the promotion of Michael O’Neill (pictured above, left) to onshore power & renewables underwriting manager, as part of the company’s expansion in the open market renewable energy property sector. The appointment is effective immediately.

In his new role, O’Neill will oversee the development of Arch’s global portfolio and lead underwriting operations for its open market renewables insurance business, covering wind, solar, and battery storage. He is based in London and reports to Hannah Hutton, head of onshore energy.

O’Neill previously served as a senior onshore energy underwriter at Arch, having joined the company in 2020. Before that, he worked as an underwriter at StarStone Insurance.

Arch has also appointed Charlie Thomas (pictured above, right) as senior onshore energy underwriter, with immediate effect.

Thomas will be responsible for supporting the expansion of Arch’s onshore energy portfolio and providing insurance solutions across conventional and renewable energy sectors globally. He is also based in London and reports to Hutton.

Before joining Arch, Thomas worked at Shell as a risk & insurance team lead. He previously held a senior underwriter position at Chubb.

Hutton said the appointments represent an important step in Arch’s growth plans for the renewable energy sector, particularly as the company begins underwriting in the open market alongside its ongoing support for managing general agents in this space.

“Michael is a highly technical underwriter with extensive market knowledge and proven leadership skills. Under his direction, we will expand our insurance offering and service capabilities further to support existing and new clients through the energy transition,” Hutton said.

Hutton also noted that Thomas brings industry-specific experience that will contribute to the development of Arch’s onshore energy solutions as the company adapts to changing client needs.

In other recent developments, Arch announced leadership changes in its offshore energy division.

Elizabeth Thompson has been promoted to offshore energy underwriting manager, while James Brown has been appointed as a senior energy advisor. Both will be based in London and report to Jake Gibbs, head of marine and energy.

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