About Canopius Group

Canopius Group was created via an MBO of a Lloyd's business in December 2003. It started with £25m of shareholders' equity and now has total capital resources of over £425m.

Who We Are
About Canopius Group

Canopius Group

Canopius is a privately-owned insurance and reinsurance group which underwrites a diversified portfolio of business from its operations at Lloyd's and around the world. It has achieved significant growth over the last eight years through a mix of organic expansion and acquisition, and had total financial resources of over £425 million at the end of 2010.

Our colleagues own a substantial stake in Canopius, resulting in a proprietary mentality which is reflected in our culture of underwriting excellence, entrepreneurship and dedicated service provision.

Canopius Group's operations are organized into three divisions: UK, International and Underwriting Agencies.

The UK operating division primarily comprises Canopius Managing Agents Limited, the 10th largest Lloyd's managing agent. Its core business is the management of Syndicates 4444 and 260. The division also includes Canopius Underwriting Limited, a company underwriting specialty lines on behalf of Syndicate 4444. The UK division is headed by Michael Watson, Chairman of Canopius Group.

In June 2011, Canopius announced the formation of a new business division - UK Retail Insurance (which sits within the UK division mentioned above). This comprises the UK personal and SME commercial lines written by Syndicates 4444 and 260. The division also acts as the interface for the Group's distribution channels, Arista Insurance and K. Drewe/ Look Insurance. Click here for more details.

The International operating division, headed by Jim Giordano, who is also Chief Underwriting Officer for Canopius Group, comprises four business units based in Bermuda, Singapore, Ireland and Switzerland.

The Underwriting Agencies operating division consists of two businesses in which Canopius holds a strategic ownership interest. Arista Insurance Limited operates in the UK SME sector through a regional branch network, and Resource Underwriting Pacific Pty Ltd underwrites professional lines insurance in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. These Agencies underwrite on behalf of Syndicate 4444 as well as third parties. Michael Watson, Chairman, Canopius Group, is responsible for the Underwriting Agencies division.

Bregal Capital LLP a private equity group with €2.5bn under management, owns 84% of Canopius with the remaining 16% owned by the Group's management.

For 2010, Canopius Group's gross written premiums totalled £564m, producing profits for shareholders of £43m (post-tax) and a post tax return on equity of 15%.