Canopius Asia CEO Newman takes up UK role

Canopius Group has announced the appointment of Mark Newman as its CEO for the UK. N

Newman takes up his new role from 1 January 2024, transitioning from his current role as CEO for the Asia Pacific region.

He will also join the board of directors of Canopius Managing Agents, subsequent to approval by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority.

Interim UK CEO Kate Roy will step down from the position on 31 December 2023, retaining her role as the re/insurance carrier’s group chief operating officer.

Canopius said that it is currently shortlisting internal and external candidates to succeed Newman in the Asia Pacific CEO role.

The company said he would continue to support the region in the interim and beyond, to ensure a smooth continuation of leadership.

Newman takes up the UK CEO position after seven years with the business, having joined Canopius in his former role in 2016 and joining its global leadership team in 2021.

The firm said that during his time leading its Asian operations, the unit had increased revenue five-fold, and the business has exceeded all key performance indicators in its strategic plan, cementing its position as the largest Lloyd’s Managing Agent in the region.

Prior to Canopius, Newman held a series of leadership positions over his three-decade career, with 20 of those years at chief executive level.

He took on the role of Asia CEO of reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter’s facultative reinsurance operations in 2000, before moving to the formerly known Catlin as CEO for Asia Pacific in 2008.

He later became head of Asia and Deputy CEO Asia at XL Catlin between 2015 and 2016, based in Singapore.

“We are thrilled that Mark will be taking over the leadership of our UK business,” said Neil Robertson, Canopius Group CEO.

“He has led the successful evolution of our APAC operations, exceeding the five-year growth plan for our Singapore and Australia businesses.

“He has proven himself to be the right candidate to take on the role of UK CEO, and I’m confident that he will build on his strong track record and assist our UK teams execute their growth plans,” Robertson continued.

Newman added: “For me, it’s always all about the people – I have been privileged to be part of an excellent APAC team, and one that I’m also very proud of – it’s that collective success that has qualified me for this new and exciting role.

“I look forward to working with all our UK colleagues too, in striving to take Canopius to the next level.”