In a significant shift within the insurance and reinsurance sector, SCOR and Hamilton Re have announced key Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) appointments, signaling a strategic push for expertise and growth. Laure Forgeron has been named the new P&C global chief underwriting officer at SCOR, a move that brings extensive international experience to the forefront. Her appointment is effective January 5th and she will report directly to Jean-Paul Conoscente, CEO of SCOR P&C, also joining the Group Executive Committee. This strategic hire underscores SCOR’s commitment to strengthening its underwriting capabilities.
Forgeron’s impressive tenure includes over 16 years at Swiss Re, where she progressed through roles of increasing responsibility. Her most recent position as CUO casualty, held from April 2023 to January 2026, has equipped her with deep insights into casualty underwriting. SCOR’s CEO, Thierry Léger, highlighted Forgeron’s mission to define and drive the P&C underwriting and portfolio strategy across reinsurance, insurance, alternative solutions, and facultative business.
What is a Chief Underwriting Officer? A Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing a company’s underwriting policies and procedures. They ensure that the company is taking on acceptable levels of risk and that underwriting practices are aligned with financial goals and market conditions. The CUO plays a critical role in risk assessment, pricing, and portfolio management.
SCOR’s strategic vision, as articulated by Léger, involves Forgeron working closely with her team to ensure excellence in risk assessment and underwriting. Her role will be instrumental in providing strategic insights to the market team, ultimately driving performance and fostering innovation within SCOR’s P&C operations. This appointment is a testament to SCOR’s focus on attracting top-tier talent to navigate the complexities of the global reinsurance market.
Meanwhile, Hamilton Re has also made a significant leadership announcement, promoting Susan Steinhoff to Chief Underwriting Officer. This move solidifies Hamilton Re’s internal talent pipeline and recognizes Steinhoff’s considerable contributions to the company. Steinhoff’s promotion is effective January 1st, and she will now lead underwriting activities across Hamilton Re, reporting to Adrian Daws, the chief executive officer at Hamilton Re.
Steinhoff brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in the insurance industry. Her career includes senior roles at ACE (now Chubb), a formidable player in the global insurance landscape. She joined Hamilton in its nascent stages in 2014, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the company’s growth and success. Her deep understanding of the insurance sector will be crucial in her new capacity.
In her new role, Steinhoff succeeds Tim Duffin, who transitioned to the group CUO position on January 1, 2026. The transition is smooth, with clear lines of succession and a focus on continued operational excellence. Furthermore, in conjunction with Steinhoff’s promotion, Peter Riihiluoma will step into the role of SVP, head of Property Reinsurance, and Sergio Lottimore will succeed Riihiluoma as SVP, head of Specialty reinsurance. This internal reshuffling showcases Hamilton’s robust talent development strategy.
Adrian Daws expressed his delight at Susan Steinhoff’s well-deserved promotion, emphasizing her crucial role as a key member of the executive team. He specifically lauded her leadership of the property reinsurance team, highlighting her expertise and client-centric approach as key factors in earning her industry respect. This endorsement underscores Steinhoff’s proven track record.
Hamilton Insurance Group Ltd. operates as a Bermuda-headquartered specialty insurance and reinsurance company, underwriting risks on a global scale through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Its diversified underwriting platforms, including Hamilton Global Specialty, Hamilton Select, and Hamilton Re, provide access to a broad spectrum of profitable business opportunities worldwide. This strategic positioning allows Hamilton to effectively manage risk and capitalize on market trends.
Why is it important to have experienced CUOs? Experienced Chief Underwriting Officers are vital for maintaining a healthy risk portfolio and ensuring long-term profitability. They possess the foresight to anticipate market shifts, identify emerging risks, and implement robust underwriting strategies. Their expertise helps companies avoid catastrophic losses and capitalize on profitable opportunities, directly impacting financial stability and growth.
The appointments at both SCOR and Hamilton Re highlight a broader trend in the insurance industry towards strengthening leadership with seasoned professionals. As the market evolves with new risks and opportunities, companies are prioritizing individuals with proven track records in underwriting and strategic management. This focus on experienced leadership is crucial for navigating the dynamic global insurance landscape and ensuring sustained success.
These leadership changes are not just about filling positions; they represent a strategic investment in the future of underwriting. Both SCOR and Hamilton Re are positioning themselves to leverage the deep expertise of their new CUOs to drive innovation, manage risk effectively, and achieve superior financial performance in the coming years. The industry will be watching closely to see the impact of these key appointments.
How to understand the role of a CUO in reinsurance? Understanding the role of a CUO in reinsurance involves recognizing their responsibility for assessing and pricing complex risks that insurers pass on. They develop strategies to manage the accumulation of risk and ensure the reinsurer maintains a profitable portfolio. Their decisions directly influence the capacity and stability of the global insurance market.
The strategic direction set by these new CUOs will be crucial in shaping the P&C and specialty reinsurance markets. Their ability to adapt to changing economic conditions and regulatory environments will be a key determinant of their success. The industry is keenly observing these developments as indicators of future market trends and strategic priorities among leading insurers and reinsurers.
Is Laure Forgeron’s move from Swiss Re to SCOR a significant industry trend? Laure Forgeron’s move from Swiss Re to SCOR is a notable event that reflects the ongoing talent migration and strategic hiring within the reinsurance sector. Such moves often indicate a company’s aggressive pursuit of specific expertise to bolster its competitive position and execute its strategic vision in a highly specialized market.
The insurance and reinsurance industry is inherently dynamic, driven by the constant need to adapt to new risks and economic cycles. The appointments of Forgeron and Steinhoff are indicative of this proactive approach, aiming to embed strong leadership that can navigate these complexities. The focus on specialized knowledge in areas like property and casualty, and specialty reinsurance, is paramount for maintaining a competitive edge.
Best practices for underwriting in property and casualty reinsurance for 2026 will likely be influenced by the strategic decisions made by leaders like Forgeron and Steinhoff. Their approaches to risk assessment, portfolio diversification, and capital management will set benchmarks for the industry. The emphasis on data-driven insights and advanced analytics is expected to continue shaping underwriting strategies.
