Aon Benfield Securities adds two to capital markets team

Aon Benfield Securities, the investment banking division of global reinsurance broker Aon Benfield has just announced two new senior strategic advisory hires to its capital markets team. Robert V. James and Michael A. Pedraja join the division as Managing Directors, will be based in Chicago and will both report directly to Paul Schultz, Chief Executive Officer of Aon Benfield Securities.

The two hires will complement the existing capital markets team at Aon Benfield Securities, bringing senior advisory capabilities to its insurance, reinsurance and private equity clients on a range of strategic advisory assignments, including mergers and acquisitions, insurance and reinsurance company formations, and capital raising initiatives.

Robert James most recently served as a Managing Director for Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, where he was responsible for strategic advisory, and M&A advice. Robert has 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, both within insurance and reinsurance companies and as an investment banker servicing re/insurers need.  He has worked for many leading companies in the sector including Allstate, MetLife, AIG, Countrywide and Grange Insurance.

Michael Pedraja was last at Barclays, where he held a Managing Director role focused primarily on the insurance industry. Before that he worked at Credit Suisse and in total has over 17 years of investment banking experience, having advised on more than 35 M&A’s and capital raising transactions.  Michael started his career as a Certified Public Accountant at Coopers & Lybrand.

Paul Schultz, CEO of ABS, commented; “Bob’s operating and investment banking experience combined with Mike’s strategic advisory experience make them valuable additions to our firm, to the benefit of our clients and colleagues.  Aon Benfield Securities is highly committed to making continued investments in our colleagues and capabilities, in order that we can continue to provide industry-leading advice to clients globally on a broad array of strategic and capital initiatives.”