United Risk has announced a series of senior appointments and promotions as the managing general agent (MGA) celebrates two years since its formation in 2023, underscoring its rapid global expansion.
Chairman Jamie Sahara noted the firm’s strong trajectory, highlighting its position among the world’s top five MGAs. United Risk now operates 25 property and casualty underwriting programs and employs nearly 600 staff across nine countries and four continents.
Hayden Smith has been promoted to chief executive officer, bringing significant experience in mergers and acquisitions and ceded reinsurance from his roles at Enstar Group and StarStone. In his new position, Smith will oversee strategy and growth across United Risk’s international footprint, which includes offices in New York, Bermuda, London, Paris, Dubai, Singapore, and Sydney.
The company has also appointed Andrew Lucas as general counsel. Lucas joins from Clyde & Co LLP with deep expertise in corporate governance, M&A, and insurance regulatory matters. He will lead the firm’s legal and compliance functions, supporting its complex multinational operations.
Gregg Holtmeier assumes the role of chief commercial officer, where he will manage relationships with capital partners including reinsurers, insurers, and sidecar capacity providers. Holtmeier brings prior leadership experience as chief strategy officer at BMS and global head of casualty at JLT Re, positioning him to strengthen and expand United Risk’s commercial partnerships.
Patrick Watson joins as chief operating officer, bringing more than 21 years of experience in insurance operations, program development and organisational scaling. Watson will focus on enhancing operational efficiency and building infrastructure to support the firm’s growing underwriting portfolio.
President Rick Christofer will continue to lead engagement with underwriters, agents and brokers. With an expanded C-suite now in place, he will have greater capacity to concentrate on client-facing initiatives. Christofer previously held leadership roles at AIG Private Client Group, Guy Carpenter, General Reinsurance and The Hartford.
Sahara said the appointments complete a robust leadership framework designed to support United Risk’s next phase of growth.
