Africa Specialty Risks has appointed industry veteran Trevor Oates as its new head of reinsurance.

In his new role, Mr Oates will be responsible for ceded reinsurance purchasing across the ASR group, which operates underwriting balance sheets in Bermuda, Mauritius and at Lloyd’s through Syndicate 2454.

He will also work closely with ASR’s capacity providers, including Lloyd’s syndicates supporting the Africa-focused Baobab consortium.

Mr Oates joins ASR from Canopius, where he spent 25 years in various underwriting roles, most recently as a treaty underwriter. His experience includes writing portfolios in property, construction, engineering, political violence and terrorism, and leading reinsurance programmes across Africa, the Middle East and other emerging markets.

He began his career in 1987 at Mercantile and General Reinsurance Company and later worked at Aon.

ASR chief executive Mikir Shah said the group’s growing portfolio had increased the complexity of its reinsurance needs.

“Trevor is a hugely experienced reinsurance executive, who has deep experience across our core products and geographies, along with strong relationships with the reinsurance market. I’m delighted to welcome him to ASR and help further our ceded reinsurance programme,” Mr Shah said.

Mr Oates added: “ASR is an exciting, dynamic and ambitious company. I have been actively involved in building insurance capacity in Africa for more than 35 years so I am really looking forward to working with Mikir and the team.”