Canopius hires Mark Houghton as Global Product Leader, Specialty

SINGAPORE – June 18, 2024Canopius, a leading global specialty and P&C (re)insurer, today announced it has appointed Mark Houghton to the newly created role of Global Product Leader, Specialty. He takes up the position in October and will oversee the governance, performance and standards of Canopius’ specialty underwriting lines across the business.

Mark will also be responsible for product development and innovation as well as establishing Canopius’ risk appetite for specialty lines across the globe. He will report directly to Group Chief Underwriting Officer Sam Harrison.

Mark brings unparalleled expertise to the role, with over 20 years’ insurance and wider financial services experience. He joins Canopius from AXA XL, where he led the Political Risk team for over a decade before being appointed Head of Specialty in Asia.

The announcement follows a series of significant hires this year for Canopius Group, with the appointment of Soon Keen Lee as CEO in APAC & MENA as well as Jesse DeCouto as Chief Underwriting Officer and Tonia Morgan as Chief Financial Officer of Canopius Reinsurance Limited. It also welcomed Uwe Schoberth as Head of US Distribution and Matthew Crane as Head of UK Distribution at the start of the year.

Sam Harrison, Group Chief Underwriting Officer, comments:

“2024 will be another milestone year for Canopius as we look to build on a record 2023. To realise our continued growth ambitions, we’re expanding our global underwriting structure to help us innovate and develop products in line with our strategic objectives and risk appetite. Having someone responsible for product innovation and development globally from our base in Singapore reflects our growing footprint across the world.

“Mark is perfectly suited to this new role with his incredibly valuable experience. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Mark Houghton, incoming Global Product Leader, Specialty, comments:

“Canopius is known for its collaborative approach, always going the extra mile for its clients and brokers. It’s a hugely exciting time to be joining the business and I look forward to helping cement Canopius’ status as a provider of practical solutions in the world’s leading specialty markets.”

ENDS