Canopius - About Canopius Group

Substantially the largest privately-owned Lloyd's insurance underwriting business, Canopius Group has achieved significant growth over the past six years through a mix of organic expansion and acquisition.

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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 six years through a mix of organic expansion and acquisition, and currently has total financial resources of around £400 million.

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 12th largest Lloyd's managing agent. Its core business is the management of Syndicate 4444. The division also includes Canopius Underwriting Limited, a company underwriting specialty lines on behalf of Syndicate 4444 and Syndicate 839 which is closed to new business. The UK division is headed by Michael Watson, Chairman of Canopius Group, pending recruitment of a new Chief Executive for Canopius Managing Agents Limited.

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

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 (formerly Englefield Capital LLP) a private equity group with more than €1.75bn under management, owns 83% of Canopius with the remaining 17% owned by the Group's management.

For 2008, Canopius Group's gross written premiums totalled £457m, resulting in record profits of £43m (pre-tax) and a post tax return on equity of 19%.