Marsh hires AXA XL’s Latham for UK & Ireland alternative risk transfer

Broking group Marsh has announced the hiring of Matthew Latham as Alternative Risk Transfer Leader, UK & Ireland, a position that will see him working closely with structured reinsurance, climate risk transfer and parametric insurance teams.

Latham joins Marsh from his most recent position at AXA XL, where he held the role of Head of Global Programmes and Captives for seven years.

Prior to that, Latham worked at a number of other companies, gaining some 25 years’ experience across insurance and reinsurance underwriting and broking, including a stint at AIG where he led the UK Alternative Risk Transfer underwriting team.

In his new position at Marsh, Latham will report to Charlie Netherton, Head of Advisory Services & Strategy, UK & Ireland, Marsh.

Commenting on Latham’s appointment, Netherton said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant gaps in operational resilience. As we move towards recovery, the insurance industry has a crucial role to play in developing new, alternative solutions that help organisations build stronger defences to future shocks.

“Matthew is a highly-respected professional in the area of alternative risk transfer and has a strong reputation in developing leading market solutions that benefit clients in managing their most complex risks. We welcome him to Marsh and look forward to working with him in this important part of the business.”

Latham added, “Challenging conditions in the conventional insurance market and an evolving corporate risk landscape are fuelling the need for alternative risk solutions in critical areas such as supply chain, weather, and reputation risk. Marsh has been at the forefront in driving market innovation around alternative risk transfer; I am excited to join the firm and support our clients in managing these risks.”

In his new position, Latham will advise clients on risk finance optimisation with a focus on alternative solutions including structured reinsurance, legacy transactions, and other bespoke insurance options, such as parametric risk transfer.

Sitting within Marsh’s UK Financial Solutions Group, Latham will advise clients and colleagues in managing unusual or complex risks and insurance structures.

He will also play a key role in product innovation, especially where complex insurance and risk transfer programmes are designed to incorporate captives, climate and sustainability, or parametric solutions.

The position will see Latham working closely with Ryan Bond, Head of Climate and Sustainability Insurance Innovation, and Tom Markovic in Marsh’s Parametric Solutions Center of Excellence.