Kusche joins TigerRisk from Swiss Re to lead global ILS structuring

TigerRisk Partners LLC, the catastrophe reinsurance broker and risk/capital management advisor, has added insurance-linked securities (ILS) structuring expert Philipp Kusche to its ranks, as Partner and Global Head of ILS and Capital Solutions.

Kusche joins TigerRisk from reinsurance giant Swiss Re’s Capital Markets division in New York, where he was Head of ILS Structuring and Originating and responsible for the execution of billions of dollars worth of varied ILS structures, highlighting his extensive knowledge with ILS and capital markets solutions.

“Philipp Kusche is a highly experienced reinsurance capital markets expert with a keen perspective on the innovation, disruption and evolution occurring in our industry.

“At TigerRisk, Phillip will have the clear remit to continue to architect new structures and products which more closely and efficiently link risk with capital or the benefit of our clients,” said TigerRisk President, Tony Ursano.

Kusche joined Swiss Re in 2002 as a management trainee, and transferred to the firm’s New York office in 2006 as part of its ILS division.

From working with the reinsurers ILS unit Kusche is now recognised as a highly experienced and creative developer of capital markets insurance and reinsurance-linked risk solutions, including cat bonds, sidecars, contingent capital structures and other alternative capital products.

In his new role Kusche will report to TigerRisk President Ursano, and will be tasked with the development of next-generation ILS and similar, insurance-linked solutions for a range of clients and risk appetites, said TigerRisk.

Furthermore, TigerRisk explained that Kusche will work to establish new, increasingly efficient ILS products that promote and enable investors to take on greater risk, and also to develop more accessible ILS solutions for the non-specialist investor base.

Kusche expanded on this, outlining what he hopes to achieve in his new position at TigerRisk.

“At TigerRisk I hope to achieve two goals. First I look forward to being a truly independent and objective advisor, able to provide clients truly holistic solutions using the entire spectrum of capital independent of its source, whether from traditional reinsurance or the capital markets,” said Kusche.

“My second goal is to develop a range of new, more efficient risk-transfer solutions using instruments designed to attract highly sophisticated insurance risk specialists at hedge funds, large pension funds, institutional investors, etc., who have the requisite knowledge to assess the risks, as well as products allowing broader access from non-specialist institutional investors,” continued Kusche.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TigerRisk, Rod Fox, said the following on Kusche’s appointment.

“I am delighted to welcome Philipp to TigerRisk. His addition to our team is a continuation of our build-out of a world-class capital markets and advisory capability. In addition, Philipp’s combined reinsurance and capital markets background is a perfect fit for our holistic and embedded approach to business,” said Fox.