Africa Specialty Risks Group appoints Head of Political Violence & Terrorism Underwriting
London, 7 April 2021 – Africa Specialty Risks (“ASR”), the Pan-African focused reinsurance group, is today pleased to announce the launch of War, Political Violence and Terrorism (PVT) capacity.
ASR is also pleased to announce the appointment of Zouheb Azam as Head of Political Violence & Terrorism Underwriting. His appointment comes after the recent arrival of the Group’s first actuarial hire, Peter Way, who joined earlier this month.
ASR will provide its clients with a bespoke offer which caters to the specific requirements and challenges of PVT risks in Africa, covering a broad range of perils and extensions. Zouheb brings almost 12 years’ experience across Political Violence and Terrorism (PVT) risk management solutions. This includes underwriting role at AXAXL and broking responsibility in the Global Risk Management divisions at Willis Towers Watson and Gras Savoye in Paris, where Zouheb placed a global book of PVT and PRI risks into the London reinsurance market.
His background in broking and understanding of the risk management solutions that businesses require, will greatly bolster the Group’s reinsurance offering.
Mikir Shah, CEO of ASR, commented: “ASR continues to move from strength to strength and we’re delighted that Zouheb will be joining to launch a new line of business. Zouheb’s extensive experience in the PVT markets and his work across broking and risk analysis further develops our reinsurance offering to clients across Africa.”
Zouheb Azam commented: “Joining ASR is an exciting next step in my career, and I look forward to working alongside the rest of the team to establish and grow the PVT division from its outset. Insuring against this type of risk is as important now as it ever has been, and the events of the past twelve months have reinforced the need for comprehensive solutions that meet customer needs.”
ASR was launched by Helios Investment Partners, LLP (“Helios”) in partnership with Mikir Shah, former CEO of AXA Africa Specialty Risks and Bryan Howett, former CEO of Old Mutual’s pan-African reinsurance operations. The group announced in February that it had secured an additional multi-year binder capacity of up to $25 million per risk through a partnership with GIC of India and annual capacity from Peak Re.
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Media Enquiries
Mikir Shah, CEO
Bryan Howett, CFO
Heather Armstrong
Tim Pearson
James Verstringhe
Matthew Taylor
asr@tavistock.co.uk
About ASR
Africa Specialty Risks (ASR) provides comprehensive, risk transfer solutions through high quality underwriting to local and global customers across the African continent; giving them the confidence to grow their businesses sustainably.
ASR works proactively with local regulators to develop skills and provide training to local underwriters. Environmental, social and governance considerations are central to ASR’s values, particularly in relation to local capacity building.
ASR is backed by Helios Investment Partners’ fund IV and benefits from their extensive reach across Africa, as well as their knowledge and experience in our key markets.
Africa Specialty Risks Ltd. is an Appointed Representative of Crispin Speers & Partners Ltd. We operate as a Managing General Agent sourcing world leading capacity for African insurance and reinsurance risk. We are a proud member of the MGA Association.