Exclusive: Argo primary and excess casualty head Schramm joining Lancashire's US operations

By James Thaler

April 24 - (The Insurer) - Argo’s former head of primary and excess casualty Chris Schramm is set to join Lancashire’s nascent U.S. E&S operations as senior vice president for casualty on April 30, based in Chicago.

The Insurer exclusively reported on Wednesday that Schramm had left Argo after six years with the company. In his new role, Schramm will report to Lancashire Insurance U.S. chief underwriting officer Huw Jones.

A spokesperson for Lancashire confirmed Schramm’s appointment in a statement to The Insurer.

“We are very pleased to welcome Chris to the Lancashire U.S. team and excited to be offering this new line of business,” Jones said in a statement.

“Our plan was always to expand our products at the right time and with the right people. Chris is extremely well-respected within the market and brings considerable expertise and knowledge to the team,” Jones continued.

“We look forward to seeing this product line develop as we make the most of the opportunities we see in the market, while keeping our customary disciplined underwriting, and conservative reserving, approach,” he concluded.

Lancashire launched its U.S. E&S insurance business a year ago, after announcing plans for the new operation in August 2023.

James Flude, who has been with Lancashire since 2014, has served as CEO for the U.S. business since January of this year. Last year Chris Curtin joined from Everest to lead property and Brian Quinn arrived from Axa XL to lead energy casualty.