London, 18 September 2019: Ascent Underwriting (“Ascent”), the cyber and specialty lines MGA, and Cove Programs (“Cove”), the US construction-focused MGA, today announces the appointment of Paul Western as group Chief Underwriting Officer, effective October 7.

His appointment follows Cove’s merger with Ascent in March and he will report to group CEO Kevin Hastings. Western brings more than 30+ years of industry experience, and as CUO he will play a key role in the direction, leadership and management of the group’s underwriting and business lines.

He joins from MS Amlin where he served for 17 years. Most recently, he held the position of US Casualty and Specialty Lines Product Lead, having joined the company as a Class Underwriter in 2002.

Hastings said:

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Paul, who will join ahead of further exciting developments for Ascent and Cove. Paul has, for many years, been intricately involved in the vast majority of business classes we underwrite. At AMLIN he was a committed supporter of both Ascent and Cove, backing our respective major product lines. His knowledge, skills and reputation bring a game-changing additional layer of underwriting expertise to our business.”