Atrium has announced two senior appointments as part of its ongoing growth across specialist underwriting classes, marking a significant expansion of its capabilities within the Lloyd’s market.
Rob James will join the aviation team as an underwriter in the first quarter of 2026, once he has fulfilled his current contractual commitments. Reporting to Bassel Matta, head of aviation, James will focus on further strengthening Atrium’s aviation portfolio.
With more than 17 years of industry experience, James most recently served at Liberty Specialty Markets, where he oversaw the development of its all-risk and war aviation business. Prior to that, he spent over a decade in the aviation division at Tokio Marine Kiln.
The appointment comes shortly after US wholesale broker CRC Group entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Atrium Underwriting Group Ltd. Under the terms of the deal, Atrium will retain its name and continue to operate independently. The group wrote approximately US$1.3 billion in gross written premiums last year, underscoring its strong position in the Lloyd’s market.
In a separate development, Atrium has entered the weather and climate insurance sector with the launch of a dedicated underwriting team led by Dr Ed Byrns. The new division will offer non-damage business interruption cover for large commercial clients impacted by non-catastrophic weather events, such as temperature fluctuations, wind speed variations, or unusual precipitation levels.
Leveraging a data-driven approach and advanced quantitative analysis, the unit aims to provide tailored solutions for complex weather-related risks.
Byrns brings extensive expertise to the role, having previously worked at Brown & Brown, Citadel, and Louis Dreyfus. He also served as chief technology and innovation officer at Munich Re Weather Group and co-founded Demex Group, an insurtech specialising in technology-enabled weather risk solutions. He will be supported by a team with deep experience in weather risk management.
Alongside its expansion into new underwriting classes, Atrium is also investing in digital innovation. Earlier this year, the company promoted Adam Payne to deputy head of digital underwriting to enhance its AUGold quote-and-bind platform, which allows brokers to access, quote, and bind cover in selected lines of business.
