Leadership Overview
Ascot Group has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational scaling, human capital management, and information technology infrastructure.
Focused on delivering resilient risk solutions, Ascot Group maintains a commitment to agility and collaborative underwriting across its interconnected global platforms to secure a stable future for clients.
Focused on delivering resilient risk solutions, Ascot Group maintains a commitment to agility and collaborative underwriting across its interconnected global platforms to secure a stable future for clients.
Leadership Roles at Ascot Group
Matthew Kramer - Chief Executive Officer, Ascot (US)
Matthew Kramer, the Chief Executive Officer, Ascot (US) at Ascot Group, directs all underwriting and market expansion initiatives across the United States. Kramer manages the integration of specialty risk products within the domestic market, ensuring alignment with the broader global mission of the organization. By overseeing the Ascot U.S. and Ethos platforms, the Chief Executive Officer, Ascot (US) drives growth through disciplined risk assumption and strategic collaboration with regional partners. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market volatility to maintain competitive positioning. Matthew Kramer actively monitors underwriting performance to ensure long-term profitability and operational excellence. Through the implementation of rigorous risk assessment frameworks, the Chief Executive Officer, Ascot (US) secures the stability of the domestic portfolio while fostering innovation in specialty insurance solutions across diverse industry sectors.
Marc Amen - Chief Executive Officer (North America)
Marc Amen, the Chief Executive Officer (North America) at Ascot Group, architects the overarching business strategy for the entire North American region. Amen coordinates cross-functional teams to optimize the delivery of insurance and reinsurance solutions, ensuring that regional operations reflect the high standards of the global organization. The Chief Executive Officer (North America) manages complex stakeholder relationships and drives the expansion of the company footprint throughout the continent. By focusing on market-specific risk profiles, Marc Amen enhances the agility of the regional business model. This leadership role requires constant interaction with executive peers to synchronize global objectives with local execution. Through the oversight of regional underwriting offices, the Chief Executive Officer (North America) ensures that all operations remain consistent with the corporate mission of providing resilient, disciplined risk assumption services to a broad client base.
Jonathan Zaffino - Group Chief Executive Officer & President
Jonathan Zaffino, the Group Chief Executive Officer & President at Ascot Group, directs the global vision and long-term strategic trajectory of the entire organization. Zaffino oversees the interconnected ecosystem of platforms, including the Lloyds and Bermuda operations, to ensure cohesive service delivery worldwide. The Group Chief Executive Officer & President maintains rigorous standards for underwriting discipline and corporate governance across all international jurisdictions. By fostering a culture of collaboration and resilience, Jonathan Zaffino drives the company toward its mission of solving for a brighter tomorrow. This leadership role involves high-level engagement with the Board to align operational outcomes with shareholder expectations. Through the continuous refinement of the global business model, the Group Chief Executive Officer & President ensures that the organization remains a pre-eminent force in the specialty risk assumption industry, consistently delivering value through sophisticated insurance and reinsurance solutions.
Robert Houston - Chief Financial Officer
Robert Houston, the Chief Financial Officer at Ascot Group, manages the global financial health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Houston oversees all fiscal reporting, treasury functions, and investment activities to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company. The Chief Financial Officer directs the development of financial models that support the underwriting of complex specialty risks across global platforms. By maintaining strict fiscal discipline, Robert Houston provides the necessary stability for the organization to pursue its growth objectives. This leadership role involves close collaboration with the executive team to assess the financial impact of strategic initiatives and market shifts. Through the rigorous monitoring of capital reserves and liquidity, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the company remains well-positioned to meet all obligations while continuing to provide innovative insurance and reinsurance solutions to clients worldwide.
Shanelle Burke - Chief Financial Officer (US)
Shanelle Burke, the Chief Financial Officer (US) at Ascot Group, directs the financial operations and accounting functions specifically for the United States market. Burke oversees the budgeting, financial planning, and regulatory compliance for the domestic platforms, including the Ascot U.S. and Ethos entities. The Chief Financial Officer (US) ensures that all regional financial activities align with the global fiscal strategy of the organization. By monitoring the performance of domestic underwriting offices, Shanelle Burke provides critical insights that drive operational efficiency and profitability. This leadership role involves managing the financial risks associated with the U.S. portfolio and ensuring accurate reporting to the global finance team. Through the implementation of robust financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer (US) supports the company mission by maintaining the fiscal integrity required to provide resilient risk assumption services across the United States.
Jesse Paulson - Chief Operating Officer (US)
Jesse Paulson, the Chief Operating Officer (US) at Ascot Group, manages the internal business processes and operational scaling for the United States market. Paulson oversees the day-to-day execution of underwriting support services and administrative functions across domestic offices. The Chief Operating Officer (US) drives the implementation of operational best practices to ensure that the company maintains its agility and responsiveness to market demands. By coordinating with regional leadership, Jesse Paulson optimizes the workflow between the Ascot U.S. and Ethos platforms. This leadership role involves the continuous improvement of operational frameworks to support the growth of the domestic portfolio. Through the effective management of resources and processes, the Chief Operating Officer (US) ensures that the organization delivers consistent, high-quality insurance and reinsurance solutions while maintaining the discipline required for long-term success in the competitive U.S. specialty risk sector.
Christopher Burati - Chief of Staff
Christopher Burati, the Chief of Staff at Ascot Group, coordinates the strategic priorities and operational workflows of the executive leadership team. Burati facilitates communication between departments to ensure that corporate objectives remain aligned with the mission of the organization. The Chief of Staff manages special projects that span multiple global platforms, driving efficiency and cross-functional collaboration. By streamlining internal processes, Christopher Burati enables the executive team to focus on high-impact decision-making and market expansion. This leadership role involves the synthesis of complex information to support the Group Chief Executive Officer & President in daily operations. Through the effective management of organizational initiatives, the Chief of Staff ensures that the company maintains its agility and discipline, ultimately supporting the delivery of superior insurance and reinsurance solutions across all regional offices and business units.
Owen Williams - Group Chief Information Officer
Owen Williams, the Group Chief Information Officer at Ascot Group, architects the global digital infrastructure and technology strategy for the organization. Williams focuses on the development of scalable cloud platforms and data analytics capabilities that support the underwriting of specialty risks. The Group Chief Information Officer drives the digital transformation of the company, ensuring that technology systems enhance collaboration across the Lloyds, Bermuda, and U.S. platforms. By prioritizing cybersecurity and system resilience, Owen Williams protects the integrity of the global data ecosystem. This leadership role involves the integration of advanced technological solutions to improve operational agility and client service delivery. Through the continuous innovation of the IT landscape, the Group Chief Information Officer ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of the insurance industry, leveraging data-driven insights to solve complex risk challenges effectively.
Michael Kerrigan - Group Chief Information Officer
Michael Kerrigan, the Group Chief Information Officer at Ascot Group, directs the implementation of enterprise-wide software solutions and internal communication networks. Kerrigan focuses on the optimization of legacy systems and the integration of new digital tools to improve the efficiency of underwriting workflows. The Group Chief Information Officer manages the technical support teams that maintain the stability of the global platform ecosystem. By overseeing the deployment of collaborative software, Michael Kerrigan ensures that teams across different regions can work together seamlessly to address client needs. This leadership role involves the strategic assessment of emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the specialty insurance market. Through the management of the IT roadmap, the Group Chief Information Officer supports the company mission by providing the reliable, high-performance digital environment necessary for disciplined risk assumption and global operational success.
William Thygeson - Group Chief Human Resources Officer
William Thygeson, the Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Ascot Group, directs the global talent strategy and organizational development initiatives. Thygeson oversees the recruitment, retention, and professional growth of the workforce across all international platforms. The Group Chief Human Resources Officer fosters a culture of collaboration and discipline, ensuring that the company attracts the expertise necessary to solve complex risk challenges. By implementing comprehensive human capital programs, William Thygeson aligns the workforce with the overarching mission of the organization. This leadership role involves the management of performance evaluation systems and the promotion of diversity and inclusion across the global footprint. Through the strategic development of the company culture, the Group Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization remains a destination for top-tier talent, ultimately supporting the delivery of resilient insurance and reinsurance solutions to clients worldwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ascot Group Top Executives and Leadership Team
