Alta Signa launches European marine division

Alta Signa Europe has announced the launch of a new European Marine underwriting business.

The new unit from the boutique managing general agent (MGA) will focus on core marine lines of business, backed by Alta Signa’s panel of insurance partners, including Axeria IARD, SiriusPoint and Sompo International.

The team is led by Francesco Dubbioso, head of technical underwriting for marine and branch manager, in the Italian port city of Genoa.

He joined Alta Signa in September, leaving his previous role as CEO of Mediterranea Underwriting.

“The arrival of this brilliant new Marine underwriting team adds a new strategic arrow to the Alta Signa bow and I am thrilled they decided to join our MGA family,” said Gerard Van Loon, CEO of Alta Signa.

Dubbioso will be supported by Danilo Fiore, acting head of technical underwriting for hull and yachts.

Before joining Alta Signa effective 18 December, he was a senior marine hull underwriter with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, and before that worked at Generali.

Barbara Vida recently joined the team as a senior cargo underwriter, and worked previously for Mediterranea Underwriting, Liberty and XL (now Axa XL.

Marie Lepelletier, a marine insurance law specialist, is group claims manager, having joined from Generali Global Corporate & Commercial.

Simona Ballestrero holds the role of marine technical accounting and operations manager, also joining Alta Signa from Mediterranea Underwriting.

Dubbioso said: “I am delighted to be launching our new Marine underwriting business and am extremely proud of the quality of the team we were able to attract. The European Marine market is expected to present niche growth opportunities in 2024 and beyond for those MGAs who are agile enough to address the unique challenges in this sector.

“In an environment where differentiation and relevance are key, I am extremely excited by the opportunities this presents for nimble businesses such as the one we have now assembled at Alta Signa. I can’t wait to start this new venture with a team of highly motivated experts.”

Van Loon continued: “With the new marine line of business, we aim to become even more meaningful to our distribution partners by broadening our portfolio beyond the financial, professional and cyber lines of business.

“We welcome the new team to Alta Signa and I know that we will benefit enormously from their broad range of highly relevant market experience and expertise.”