Africa Specialty Risks (ASR), a leading re/insurance group, has appointed Sylvain Coutu as Head of Innovation and Sustainability.
In this newly established role, Coutu will oversee ASR’s parametric insurance offerings, taking charge of underwriting, business development, and the management of the existing portfolio. His responsibilities also include developing innovative products and expanding the company’s market reach to enhance the accessibility of sustainable parametric solutions in high-growth markets.
Coutu brings more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining ASR, he served as Head of Agricultural Insurance at AXA Climate, where he specialized in financial risk solutions for agriculture, forestry, and other natural assets. Before that, he was a Senior Agriculture Underwriter at Swiss Re and later transitioned into a leadership role as Head of Innovation & Special Lines.
ASR has been actively strengthening its parametric division. Earlier this month, the company welcomed Fanny Dunner as an Underwriter. Based in London, Dunner reports directly to Coutu and previously held a similar position at Generali.
Further reinforcing its capabilities, ASR made key appointments to its Syndicate 2454 in January. Genevieve Ahinful and Suzan Pardesi joined as Deputy Active Underwriters. Ahinful, ASR’s Head of Political Risk and Trade Credit (PRTC), has been with the company since 2020 and possesses over 20 years of industry experience. Pardesi, who leads ASR’s energy division, also joined the firm in November 2020.
Additionally, ASR announced in December that ASR Middle East has commenced operations as a Lloyd’s service company. This milestone enables the firm to underwrite business in Dubai on behalf of ASR Syndicate 2454, the first Lloyd’s syndicate dedicated to African risks.
