Catlin is now positioned as a major London market leader in this class following the acquisition of Wellington in 2006. Catlin's capacity is amongst the highest in the market for Airline, General Aviation, Products Liability, Airport Liability and other miscellaneous risks that make up our broad portfolio of business.
We have recently recruited a number of new underwriting staff to complement the existing team and to provide us with the necessary resource and profile to allow us to fulfil our position in the market.
The account, which commenced in 2002, had grown steadily until the recent transaction and is split evenly between Airline, General Aviation and Products/Airport business at roughly one-third each.
Approximately 25% of our income is written through Catlin’s international network of offices with 10 different locations contributing income to the Aviation cost centre. This unique distribution system allows us to maximise our opportunities on General Aviation business, especially by targeting business that is not traditionally placed in the London market. The international offices also complement our London operation by providing year round local knowledge and expertise to the major risks in these regions.
Aviation Business Group Leader
Alain Burguiere joined Catlin in 2007 from La Reunion Aerienne (LRA), the Paris-based aviation underwriting specialist where he had headed the underwriting team. He joined LRA in 1991 as an underwriter in the overseas department. He was promoted to senior underwriter in 1999
and appointed head of underwriting in 2001.
Global Aerospace Business Group Leader
Mike has been involved in the aviation insurance market for more than 20 years and has worked both as a broker and an underwriter. During his 15 years in broking he worked for Leslie & Godwin, Heath and Aon and was involved in all areas of the aviation account. He was a director of the aviation department when he left Aon in 1997. He joined AIG Aviation the same year where he was responsible for the non-airline account. He joined Markel International in February 2002 where he was involved in developing the aviation account for the company’s syndicate. Mike joined Catlin in September 2002 as a class underwriter for aviation business.
Senior Underwriter
Simon began his career in the London Insurance market in 1987 at Stewart Underwriting Syndicate 173. In 1991 Simon joined Syndicate 800, now managed by Brit Insurance Holdings, as an aviation underwriter where he was responsible for the general aviation and war hull and liability accounts. Simon was also the deputy underwriter responsible for the major airline hull and liability account.
Further responsibilities involved the development of business planning, budgeting and realistic disaster scenario strategies in liaison with the actuarial department.
Simon joined Catlin in May 2004 as a class underwriter for aviation business.
Senior Underwriter
Nic started his insurance career more than 20 years ago in the non marine reinsurance claims department of Leslie & Godwin as a claims broker. He moved to Syndicate 780, B.F. Caudle Holdings, as a non marine underwriting assistant. In 1989 Nic accepted a position with aviation insurance manager Transglobe Underwriting Management in Guernsey and was involved with all aspects of aviation insurance. He then joined Ortac Underwriting Management, a general aviation specialist underwriting vehicle sponsored by Gerling Konzern in Germany. He joined Catlin in July 2005 as a class underwriter for the general aviation account in Guernsey.
Nic is a member of the General Aviation study group of the International Union of Aviation Insurers.
Underwriter
Peter graduated from London University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Avionics in 1988. After gaining experience in aircraft design, production and sales with British Aerospace, he joined the London market as a broker with Bain Clarkson’s aviation division in 1992. Five years later he became the assistant underwriter at the newly formed Barnes Aviation Consortium.
In 1998 he moved to Pritchard Syndicate where he wrote a broad aviation book but ultimately specialising in General Aviation. He joined Catlin Underwriting in 2007 as a class underwriter in the London aerospace team.
Underwriter
Paul graduated from Nottingham University in the summer of 2003 having studied Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry. He joined Catlin Aviation team straight from university. Between the summer of 2003 and May 2006 he was worked in the London office focusing mainly on the Airlines and Large products section of the account. In May 2006 he moved within the team to the Guernsey office where he became an assistant underwriter working on the Commercial General Aviation and smaller products section of the account. Paul progressed to class underwriter in 2008.
Underwriter
Bruce began his insurance career in 1985 as an assistant aviation underwriter at Transglobe Underwriting Management in Guernsey. He joined Polygon Insurance Company in Guernsey in 1992 as deputy aviation underwriter and moved to Le Marchant Underwriting Management Limited in Guernsey in 1998 as a senior aviation underwriter. Bruce joined Ortac Underwriting Agency Limited in Guernsey in 2001 as a senior underwriter. He joined Catlin in the Guernsey office in July 2005.
Underwriter
Andrew started in the London market with Hill Aviation Syndicate 800 in 1995 as an underwriting assistant. In 2000 he became a deputy underwriter specialising in the products and airports aspect of the account. In 2003 Andrew moved to the Reinsurance team in Brit looking after the Accident and Health treaty portfolio before moving to Catlin as Aviation class underwriter in November 2006.
Underwriter
Antoine graduated from Reims Management School in 2000. The following year he joined the French dedicated aviation insurer "La Réunion Aérienne" in Paris as a junior underwriter. In 2007 he became deputy underwriter specialising in underwriting domestic and international business for airlines and aviation manufacturers. Antoine joined Catlin in July 2007 as aviation Class Underwriter in London.
Underwriter
Julia graduated from Warwick University in 2002 with a BSc in Biological Sciences. She joined the Aviation team at Catlin in October 2002 as an underwriting assistant. Julia completed her ACII qualification in 2006 and became assistant underwriter on the account. She progressed to class underwriter in 2008.
Underwriter
James graduated from Warwick University with a BA in Spanish and European Studies. He joined Sedgwick Aviation in 1991 as a broker on the Latin-American aviation account. Following the acquisition of Sedgwick by Marsh in 1999, he moved along with a team of colleagues to Aon Aviation. In 2001 he moved back to Marsh to specialise in European Aviation business. He joined Catlin in 2005 as class underwriter for the aerospace business group in London.