European insurance group given approval to underwrite specialty lines business in UK

Helvetia Global Solutions has received regulatory approval for its UK branch to start underwriting specialty lines business, a statement released today (30 October 2023) said.

The Swiss insurance group focuses on international non-life business, large corporate risks and embedded insurance solutions.

The UK branch will be able to underwrite non-life insurance business from 1 November 2023.

Underwriting teams for lines such as international general aviation and marine business have been put in place ahead of the launch.

“With the UK branch, we are further diversifying our business mix,” Fabian Rupprecht, group chief executive of Helvetia, said.

“The opening of this additional branch is a further step in continuing the internationalisation of Helvetia Group.”

New boss

In its announcement, Helvetia also announced that Marc Davis will become chief executive of the UK branch.

Davis, who joined the firm on 1 October 2022, has held several roles at multiple firms.

This includes being the UK and Ireland country manager for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, commercial distribution director at RSA and head of sales and marketing at Marsh’s IRM division in the UK.

“With Marc Davis, we have gained a very experienced professional who will support the successful establishment of the UK branch as well as the assessment of local business opportunities in the UK in alignment with our strategy”, David Ribeaud, chief executive of specialty markets at Helvetia, said.