Bermudian-headquartered insurer Kettle has appointed Jeff Chen as chief risk officer.

The AI-enabled insurance and reinsurance provider for commercial property owners in areas affected by catastrophic climate events said Mr Chen has nearly two decades of experience in insurance, reinsurance and risk analytics.

Mr Chen joins Kettle from Root Insurance, where he was lead corporate actuary, and previously worked at AIG, where he was supervising actuary for personal lines.

He said: “Wildfire insurance is one of the most pressing challenges facing the insurance industry today, and Kettle’s use of artificial intelligence to address these challenges is reshaping an industry where traditional approaches simply aren’t enough.

“I am thrilled to join this innovative team and leverage my experience to enhance Kettle’s risk management and underwriting strategies.”

Isaac Espinoza, chief executive of Kettle, said: “Jeff is a proven leader in actuarial science and risk management, with deep expertise in leveraging data to drive smarter decisions. His insights will be invaluable as we scale our operations and refine our approach to insuring wildfire-prone areas.”

Lauren Kolodny, partner at Acrew Capital and lead investor in Kettle’s Series A funding round, added: “Kettle is setting a new standard for how technology can mitigate catastrophic risks.

“Jeff’s actuarial expertise and track record at both start-ups and established insurers make him an exceptional fit for the company’s next phase of growth.”