Insurance firms Canopius Group and Aurora, have announced leadership appointments.
Specialty and property and casualty re/insurer, Canopius, has appointed Candace Steele (pictured left) as group risk director.
Steele, who joined the company on March 17, 2025, reports to group chief risk officer Sheldon Lacy and will oversee the firm’s risk framework. She will work with business unit chief risk officers to coordinate risk functions across Canopius’ global operations.
She described Canopius as a firm known for addressing complex risks and expressed interest in contributing to its ongoing initiatives. "It’s an exciting time to join as they continue their growth journey, and I look forward to working with such a knowledgeable and dedicated team.”
Steele has more than two decades of experience in risk, compliance, and regulatory roles within the insurance sector. Before joining Canopius, she was chief compliance and risk officer at CG Insurance, where she was involved in the company’s expansion through acquisitions over six years. Prior to that, she spent eight years at Validus Holdings, ultimately serving as group compliance officer and leading enterprise-wide risk and compliance initiatives.
"The level of global experience and expertise Candace has gathered over her career is pivotal to such a strategy and will undoubtedly help us deliver the best possible service to our clients," said Lacy.
Meanwhile, digital algorithmic commercial insurance platform, Aurora, has announced two underwriting appointments as it focuses on the property owners insurance market.
Robyn Lockhart (pictured right) has been named property owners lead, while Chris Champion joins as senior trading underwriter, reporting to Lockhart.
Lockhart, who has over 10 years of experience, previously led the SME team at Covéa Insurance. She has a background in product development, underwriting strategy, and leadership, which will support Aurora’s initiatives in the property sector.
"Aurora is a forward-thinking company with a clear vision for the future, and I’m excited to be part of this journey. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a talented team, enhance our capabilities, and play a role in shaping Aurora’s continued success," said Lockhart.
Champion also joins from Covéa Insurance, where he worked as a trading underwriter, focusing on broker relationships and risk assessment. His experience includes claims handling and customer service, which contributes to his ability to develop underwriting solutions.
According to Aurora co-founder and CEO Jan-Vincent Finn, these appointments align with the company’s plans for growth in a market that has historically been underserved.
As Canopius and Aurora adjust their leadership teams, how do you see these changes influencing their market positions? Share your thoughts in the comments.
