Ascot hires former Marsh, Nationwide execs to new posts

Andy Stirk and Elizabeth Johnson

Ascot Group Ltd. on Monday named former Marsh LLC executive Andy Stirk as chief commercial officer, and former Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. executive Elizabeth Johnson as North America chief underwriting officer.

In the new roles, both executives will be based in New York and report to Jonathan Zaffino, group president, the Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer said.

Mr. Stirk will oversee distribution, marketing and sales strategy across Ascot’s North American businesses, and work with leadership to develop distribution strategy across Ascot’s Bermuda, U.S. insurance and managing general underwriter platforms, Ascot said. He will also manage client and broker development strategy.

Ms. Johnson will work with the North American executive leadership team to formulate and execute Ascot’s underwriting strategy across its Bermuda, U.S. insurance and managing general underwriter businesses, Ascot said.

Mr. Stirk was previously a managing director at Marsh LLC where he oversaw the North American growth strategy for the FINPRO risk practice.

Ms. Johnson most recently served as managing director at Nationwide and prior to that worked for nearly two decades at American International Group Inc. in a variety of senior underwriting and management roles.

The appointments are the latest in a series of recent hires by Ascot.