Pioneer Launches Latin American Operation with 4 Senior Hires

Pioneer Underwriters has launched a Latin American business with the opening of a regional hub and the appointment of four senior vice presidents.

Pioneer said the move to open a regional hub is consistent with group strategy to access local business that is placed in local markets and will be complementary to Pioneer’s international facultative underwriting operations in London.

Subject to relevant regulatory approval, the team will initially target property and casualty business. They are based in Mexico City and will report to Graeme Rayner, Pioneer’s group director of underwriting. The Latin American team members are:

• Rogelio Diaz has 22 years’ experience in the Latin American market and formerly served as facultative chief underwriting officer Latin America & Caribbean at Odyssey Re.
• Gabriel Buzo, who has had 12 years’ experience in his line of business in the region, was formerly head of financial lines and liability across the Latin American region at Odyssey Re.
• Paola Benitez has 15 years’ experience in insurance and reinsurance and previously was Latin American head of general casualty and financial lines at Reasinter.
• Salvador Hernandez brings with him 36 years experience and is the former Latin American territorial leader at Gen Re.

“Our expansion into Latin America is another landmark in the development of the business,” commented Darren Doherty, chief executive officer at Pioneer. “The team will add to our existing capabilities in the region and bring Pioneer’s capabilities closer to clients and local brokers.”

Source: Pioneer Underwriters