Whittington Capital Management will be the managing agent under a 'turnkey' arrangement
WR Berkley, a US-based insurance holding company, has formed WR Berkley Syndicate 1967, a new syndicate at Lloyd’s of London approved to commence underwriting business with a June 1, 2009 inception date.
According to the company, Syndicate 1967 will underwrite property and accident classes of business and provide an international underwriting platform for clients of other WR Berkley member companies. Whittington Capital Management will be the managing agent under a turnkey arrangement.
Mike Sibthorpe has been named CEO and active underwriter of Syndicate 1967 and Alastair Blades has been appointed as the head of underwriting operations. Mr Sibthorpe joined WR Berkley in July 2008 to establish WR Berkley’s underwriting platform at Lloyd’s. Previously Mr Sibthorpe was divisional CEO and active underwriter for one of Lloyd’s underwriting businesses in Lloyd’s. Mr Blades was previously senior property underwriter at another Lloyd’s business.
William Berkley, chairman of the board and CEO at WR Berkley, said: WR Berkley has had a long and association with Lloyd’s and we are extremely pleased that the Lloyd’s franchise board has approved our application. Syndicate 1967 will focus on global lines of business where access to Lloyd’s distribution platform will allow us to further expand our international business.
We have assembled an outstanding team with exceptional reputations. Mike Sibthorpe joins us as a demonstrated leader. We are fortunate to have his specialized experience in both the property and accident classes of business as well as his extensive knowledge of the Lloyd’s marketplace.