AFL targets ILS advisory & broking with Agile Risk Advisory launch

Independent Lloyd’s broker AFL Insurance Brokers Ltd (AFL) is targeting the insurance-linked securities (ILS) sector with the launch of a new subsidiary named Agile Risk Advisory which will be focused on providing evidence-based risk advice to clients and creating new insurance-linked-securities (ILS) opportunities.

Agile Risk Advisory will be led by James Poole, who recently joined the AFL Insurance Brokers team as Director of Specialty and has been tasked with developing the Agile Risk Advisory business

Poole was previously employed by satellite focused big data and machine learning start-up Geospatial Insight, prior to which he has worked at both Price Forbes where he launched a risk advisory practice, and at Arthur J Gallagher & Co. where he launched a Latin American-focused facultative reinsurance team.

Agile Risk Advisory will have two work streams to begin with.

Firstly the unit will look to leverage insights from big data analytics to identify trends and deliver specific evidence-based risk advice to the AFL client base

Secondly, the unit will seek to provide consultancy and insight to help AFL clients to access the capital markets for insurance or reinsurance and to support the development and structuring of new ILS transactions.

Agile Risk Advisory will look to provide services to buyers of insurance or reinsurance, as well as to the broking teams that work on these arrangements.

Central to its mission will be creating innovative ways of increasing client returns and revenue growth, providing advice on better deal structuring, enhancing clients access to and use of ILS capital, and better use of advanced analytics.

AFL Chairman Toby Esser commented on the launch, “We see gaps in the market for innovative solutions that reduce the cost of covering risk, as well as new risk and insurance-based opportunities that deliver increased returns. James is ideally positioned to help clients close these gaps, bringing a wealth of expertise and fresh thinking. I am delighted that AFL has attracted a talented and forward-thinking professional like James to launch and grow ARA, and explore new opportunities in the value of risk and (re)insurance arrangements.”

AFL CEO Bob Finch also said, “James has a clear entrepreneurial spirit and is a very welcome addition at AFL. There’s great satisfaction in being able to liberate and empower free thinking, innovative minds like James to take risks, be brave with their decision making and challenge the norms of our industry.”

James Poole added, “I’m looking forward to demonstrating how big data and data analytics are fundamentally changing the (re)insurance market. My work will involve developing new techniques that allow us to evidence the impact of risk, together with new kinds of risk management, retention, transfer, and prevention strategies – always with a view of increasing value for clients. Watch this space!”

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