Hiscox Ltd., the international specialist insurer, announced the appointment of Kathleen Reardon as chief executive officer of Hiscox Re & ILS, subject to regulatory approval. Reardon succeeds Mike Krefta, who will be stepping down in early 2021.

Most recently CEO of Hamilton Re, Reardon spent her early career at ACE in a variety of actuarial and underwriting roles, rising to chief underwriting officer for International Property at ACE Tempest Re in 2005, based in Bermuda. She joined Hamilton Re in 2013 as chief underwriter (property) and was appointed CEO in 2014, a post she held until 2020.

A fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, Reardon served in 2020 as the chair of the Reinsurance Association of America and is the former chair of Women in Reinsurance, an organization she co-founded. She has a bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Drexel University in Philadelphia and currently serves on the Drexel University Board of Trustees.

Reardon will sit on the group executive committee and will be based in Bermuda, leading Hiscox’s Reinsurance and ILS teams.

“Kathleen brings the market knowledge and leadership skills we need to ensure that Hiscox Re & ILS can take advantage of a hardening market and deliver good returns to our reinsurance partners, ILS investors and shareholders,” said Bronek Masojada, Hiscox Group CEO. “She will also ensure our offering to cedents evolves as the market evolves. I look forward to working with her and benefiting from her fresh perspective.”

Masojada went on to thank Krefta, who joined Hiscox in 2003 as a management information analyst and rose through the ranks to become CUO and then CEO for the last four years.

“Through his underwriting expertise, energy and commitment, Mike has made an impressive contribution to Hiscox,” said Masojada. “This includes Mike’s efforts as executive sponsor for our ESG commitments; he has passionately brought together activities from across the group to form a comprehensive plan gaining the support of the board, colleagues and external stakeholders. He leaves with our very best wishes for the next chapter.”

Source: Hiscox Ltd.