Managing general agent Itasca MGA Limited, which specialises in aviation and is part of the Pine Walk platform, has appointed Gareth John (pictured) as chief executive and director.
Subject to regulatory approval, John will take over from Kostya Zolotusky, who is retiring at the end of the month. Zolotusky has served as CEO from when the business was set up by The Fidelis Partnership subsidiary Pine Walk Capital Limited and alternative investment manager Castlelake in 2023.
Itasca MGA’s expertise spans underwriting, structuring, and managing secured commercial aviation financing-associated risk for The Fidelis Partnership and Castlelake’s Itasca Re Limited. Reinsurance company Itasca Re provides insurance-backed financing solutions for commercial aircraft assets owners and buyers.
John, who joined The Fidelis Partnership in April as head of bespoke economic lines, will assume the top post at Itasca MGA in addition to his current role. Bringing extensive experience in aviation investment banking, the former Natixis global aviation head will continue to support The Fidelis Partnership’s economic lines of business.
The Fidelis Partnership congratulated John on his wider remit on LinkedIn.
Pine Walk CEO and The Fidelis Partnership group chief operating officer Rinku Patel, meanwhile, commented: “We’d like to thank Kostya for his leadership of Itasca MGA, which has helped to further expand Pine Walk’s distribution into the specialised aviation sector. We wish him all the best for a long, happy, and fulfilling retirement.
“I’m also delighted to welcome Gareth to the Pine Walk platform, where his deep industry experience and network will help to expand our overall reach, capabilities, and capacity across commercial aviation financing.”
As a specialist MGA platform, Pine Walk has established eight managing general agents since 2017. Itasca MGA was launched last October as part of the platform’s ambitious growth agenda.
What do you think about this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
