Mereo appoints Atrium’s Hedges as specialty underwriter

By Michael Jones

Feb 17 - (The Insurer) - Reinsurance start-up Mereo Advisers has bolstered its marine reinsurance team with the appointment of Atrium’s Andrew Hedges as a specialty underwriter.

Hedges, who has updated his LinkedIn to confirm the role, started at Mereo in February 2025.

He joined Mereo following a nine-year stint at Atrium Syndicate 609, latterly as head of reinsurance.

Hedges oversaw the run-off of Atrium’s marine reinsurance book after the Lloyd’s insurer exited the class on 1 January 2023.

Prior to Atrium, Hedges spent 12 years at Canopius, which included as head of marine treaty.

He also worked in senior underwriting roles at Liberty Syndicates, SI Thomas Syndicate 1023, and DG King Syndicate 745.

Mereo officially launched earlier this month with an A- financial strength rating and a- long-term issuer credit rating from AM Best.

The Brian Duperreault led start-up, which has an ambition of growing its capital pool to $1 billion by the end of 2025, will focus on property, specialty and casualty classes.

Targeted specialty classes include marine, energy, aviation, space, political risks, accident and health, crop and contingency.

Its website confirmed this will be written on a proportional and non-proportional basis, with a “modest” appetite for retro.

Atrium declined to comment. Mereo was approached for comment.