Neil Strong moves to Securis to head up business development

Securis Investment Partners, the London-based insurance-linked securities and reinsurance-linked investments manager, has hired Neil Strong, previously from Execution Re, as Head of Business Development, its latest hire as it seeks to build out a best in class ILS manager.

Neil Strong joined the firm in September to take on a newly created role in charge of business development for the firm. In this role, Strong will be responsible for creating new opportunities for Securis Investment Partners and looking at areas of potential expansion, as well as assisting the firm as it seeks to further build out its presence in the ILS and reinsurance markets.

Strong was a Partner at Execution Re, part of Execution Noble itself part of Portuguese investment bank Espirito Santo, where he spent over six years and helped the firm target the convergence and ILS sectors. Arthur J Gallagher acquired Execution Re at the end of 2012 and Strong shifted to that firm, before his move to Securis this month.

Rob Procter, CEO of Securis Investment Partners, told us; “At Securis we are focusing relentlessly on further building out a leading infrastructure, in terms of people, systems and processes. Neil’s appointment is our most recent hire and his joining in this newly created role is an exciting addition to the team.”

Securis Investment Partners operates four ILS funds; the flagship Securis I Fund, Securis Life Fund, Securis Non-Life Fund and, launched in 2013, the Securis Opportunities Fund which is a pure catastrophe risk focused fund targeting higher returns than the Non-Life Fund; as well as managed accounts for specific clients. The firm now has around $2 billion of assets under management in total.

Procter told us that Securis is seeking to capitalise on its continued growth and solidify its position in the market as an ILS manager that is here to stay. To be a long-term winner in ILS, Procter said Securis needs to be able to compete with the strongest ILS funds and reinsurers alike. To achieve that, pursuing the goal of creating a best in class ILS firm is essential.

Executive Chairman of Securis, Espen Nordhus, ;”Hiring someone of Neil’s calibre and standing in the reinsurance and capital markets is a reflection of the strong momentum at Securis. He will focus initially on risk origination, adding and strengthening relationships with brokers and cedants alike, but he will undoubtedly contribute to many other areas of our business, including capital raising.”