Ascot Group Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ascot Group has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational scaling, and information technology.

Focused on delivering resilient insurance solutions, Ascot Group empowers clients through a global ecosystem of interconnected platforms designed to secure a stable and prosperous future.

Leadership Roles at Ascot Group

  • Group Chief Executive Officer & President - Jonathan Zaffino
  • Chief Financial Officer - Robert Houston
  • Chief Financial Officer (US) - Shanelle Burke
  • Group Chief Financial Officer - Mark Wilcox
  • Chief Operating Officer (US) - Jesse Paulson
  • President, Ascot Re (US) - Rory Cline
  • Chief of Staff - Christopher Burati
  • Group Chief Information Officer - Michael Kerrigan
  • Group Chief Information Officer - Owen Williams
  • Group Chief Human Resources Officer - William Thygeson
  • Jonathan Zaffino - Group Chief Executive Officer & President

    Jonathan Zaffino, the Group Chief Executive Officer & President at Ascot Group, directs the overarching strategic vision for this specialty risk assumption organization. Zaffino manages the integration of global platforms across Lloyds, Bermuda, and United States markets to ensure consistent underwriting excellence. By fostering a culture of agility and discipline, the Group Chief Executive Officer & President aligns internal resources with the evolving needs of the modern insurance landscape. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to drive long-term value and market expansion. Jonathan Zaffino maintains a focus on operational resilience, ensuring the company remains a pre-eminent force in the reinsurance sector. Through rigorous oversight of corporate initiatives, Zaffino secures the firm's competitive position while navigating complex global risk environments. The Group Chief Executive Officer & President ultimately guarantees that every underwriting decision reflects the core mission of solving for a brighter tomorrow.
    Jonathan Zaffino

    Robert Houston - Chief Financial Officer

    Robert Houston, the Chief Financial Officer at Ascot Group, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the organization. Houston oversees financial reporting, treasury operations, and investment management to support the firm's global risk assumption activities. By analyzing market trends across the Lloyds and Bermuda platforms, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains robust liquidity and solvency ratios. This role requires close coordination with executive leadership to optimize capital efficiency and support sustainable growth initiatives. Robert Houston drives the development of financial frameworks that enable the business to scale effectively within the competitive insurance sector. Through precise risk assessment and budgetary control, Houston protects the firm's balance sheet against volatility. The Chief Financial Officer provides the necessary data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making, ensuring that all fiscal activities align with the broader mission of providing reliable reinsurance solutions to a diverse global client base.
    Robert Houston

    Shanelle Burke - Chief Financial Officer (US)

    Shanelle Burke, the Chief Financial Officer (US) at Ascot Group, directs the financial operations and regulatory compliance for the company's domestic platforms. Burke oversees accounting, tax planning, and financial controls specifically for the Ascot U.S. and Ethos entities. By managing regional fiscal performance, the Chief Financial Officer (US) ensures that domestic underwriting offices maintain strict adherence to local insurance regulations and corporate standards. This role involves collaborating with the broader group finance team to consolidate reporting and optimize capital deployment across the United States. Shanelle Burke drives the implementation of financial systems that support the firm's growth in the U.S. market. Through rigorous analysis of regional risk profiles, Burke provides the insights necessary to maintain profitability and operational stability. The Chief Financial Officer (US) plays a vital role in ensuring that domestic financial health supports the overall mission of providing resilient risk assumption services to clients throughout the country.

    Mark Wilcox - Group Chief Financial Officer

    Mark Wilcox, the Group Chief Financial Officer at Ascot Group, leads the long-term financial planning and corporate development strategies for the entire organization. Wilcox manages the firm's relationships with capital markets and investors, ensuring that the company maintains the financial strength to support its global risk assumption activities. By overseeing the group-wide financial strategy, the Group Chief Financial Officer ensures that capital is deployed effectively across all platforms, including Lloyds and Bermuda. This role involves analyzing the financial impact of new market entries and strategic acquisitions. Mark Wilcox drives the development of financial models that account for global risk volatility, ensuring the firm remains resilient. Through the oversight of corporate finance, Wilcox supports the company's mission of providing stable and reliable reinsurance solutions. The Group Chief Financial Officer provides the strategic financial leadership necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern insurance industry and secure the firm's future growth.

    Jesse Paulson - Chief Operating Officer (US)

    Jesse Paulson, the Chief Operating Officer (US) at Ascot Group, manages the day-to-day operational workflows and administrative processes for the company's domestic business units. Paulson oversees the integration of underwriting offices throughout the United States, ensuring that operational procedures align with the firm's global standards. By optimizing internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer (US) enhances the efficiency of the Ascot U.S. and Ethos platforms. This role involves coordinating with department heads to resolve operational bottlenecks and improve service delivery. Jesse Paulson drives the implementation of best practices that support the firm's mission of providing agile and disciplined risk solutions. Through the management of operational resources, Paulson ensures that the company maintains the capacity to handle complex risk assumption tasks. The Chief Operating Officer (US) provides the structural support necessary for the firm to scale its domestic operations while maintaining the high level of service expected by clients.
    Jesse Paulson

    Rory Cline - President, Ascot Re (US)

    Rory Cline, the President, Ascot Re (US) at Ascot Group, directs the reinsurance underwriting strategy and market engagement for the domestic division. Cline manages the development of specialty risk products tailored to the needs of the U.S. market, ensuring that the firm remains a leader in the reinsurance sector. By overseeing the underwriting teams, the President, Ascot Re (US) ensures that all risk assumption activities align with the company's disciplined approach to portfolio management. This role involves building strong relationships with brokers and clients to expand the firm's market presence. Rory Cline drives the execution of reinsurance solutions that provide clients with the resilience needed to navigate complex risk environments. Through the analysis of regional market trends, Cline identifies new opportunities for growth and innovation. The President, Ascot Re (US) ensures that the domestic reinsurance operations contribute significantly to the firm's overall mission of solving for a brighter tomorrow.
    Rory Cline

    Christopher Burati - Chief of Staff

    Christopher Burati, the Chief of Staff at Ascot Group, coordinates cross-functional initiatives to streamline executive operations and organizational efficiency. Burati manages the flow of information between the C-suite and various business units, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives. By facilitating communication across the U.S. and international platforms, the Chief of Staff enables rapid decision-making and execution of corporate priorities. This role involves overseeing special projects that enhance the firm's agility and collaborative culture. Christopher Burati monitors the progress of key performance indicators, providing the leadership team with actionable intelligence to improve operational outcomes. Through the management of internal workflows, Burati ensures that the organization remains focused on its mission of delivering specialty risk solutions. The Chief of Staff acts as a central point of contact for strategic planning, ensuring that all departments operate in harmony to support the firm's market position and long-term growth targets.

    Michael Kerrigan - Group Chief Information Officer

    Michael Kerrigan, the Group Chief Information Officer at Ascot Group, architects the digital infrastructure and cybersecurity frameworks that support the firm's global operations. Kerrigan manages the integration of advanced data analytics and cloud-based systems to enhance underwriting precision and operational speed. By overseeing the technological ecosystem, the Group Chief Information Officer ensures that the company maintains a secure and scalable platform for its insurance and reinsurance activities. This role involves leading digital transformation projects that improve internal efficiency and client-facing capabilities. Michael Kerrigan collaborates with other executive leaders to align technology investments with the company's strategic goals. Through the deployment of innovative software solutions, Kerrigan enables the firm to process complex risk data with greater agility. The Group Chief Information Officer ensures that all digital assets remain protected against emerging threats, maintaining the resilience required to serve clients effectively across all international and domestic platforms.

    Owen Williams - Group Chief Information Officer

    Owen Williams, the Group Chief Information Officer at Ascot Group, focuses on the modernization of legacy systems and the implementation of enterprise-wide data governance. Williams manages the technical architecture that connects the firm's global underwriting offices, ensuring seamless information flow and collaboration. By prioritizing the development of automated underwriting tools, the Group Chief Information Officer increases the firm's capacity to handle diverse risk portfolios. This role involves managing vendor relationships and technical partnerships to ensure the company utilizes cutting-edge tools for market analysis. Owen Williams drives the adoption of new technologies that enhance the firm's ability to respond to changing market conditions. Through the optimization of IT resources, Williams supports the company's mission of providing disciplined and agile risk solutions. The Group Chief Information Officer ensures that the technological foundation remains robust, enabling the organization to maintain its status as a pre-eminent specialty risk assumption entity.

    William Thygeson - Group Chief Human Resources Officer

    William Thygeson, the Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Ascot Group, directs the talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies for the global workforce. Thygeson manages the organizational culture, ensuring that the firm attracts professionals who embody the values of agility, collaboration, and discipline. By overseeing performance management and leadership development programs, the Group Chief Human Resources Officer builds a pipeline of talent capable of navigating the complex insurance landscape. This role involves designing compensation and benefits structures that remain competitive across international markets. William Thygeson drives initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, strengthening the firm's ability to solve for a brighter tomorrow. Through the implementation of effective human capital strategies, Thygeson ensures that the organization maintains the expertise required to support its global platforms. The Group Chief Human Resources Officer fosters an environment where employees can thrive, directly contributing to the company's overall resilience and market impact.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Insurance

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ascot Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ascot Group?
    Ascot Group is led by Jonathan Zaffino (Group Chief Executive Officer & President), along with executives such as Robert Houston (Chief Financial Officer) and Shanelle Burke (Chief Financial Officer (US)).
    Who is part of Ascot Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ascot Group includes leaders such as Jonathan Zaffino (Group Chief Executive Officer & President), Robert Houston (Chief Financial Officer), Shanelle Burke (Chief Financial Officer (US)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Ascot Group have?
    Ascot Group has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Ascot Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Ascot Group includes roles such as Group Chief Executive Officer & President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer (US), Group Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer (US).