Argenta Appoints James Blackwell as Head of Property

Argenta Syndicate Management Limited (“ASML”), a subsidiary of Argenta Holdings Limited, today announces the appointment of James Blackwell as head of property, with immediate effect. Based in London, Blackwell will report to Ian Burford, active underwriter and director of underwriting of ASML’s Syndicate 2121 and SPA 6134.  In his new role, Blackwell will be responsible for growing Argenta’s global property business.

Blackwell brings more than 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry in both the Lloyd’s and company markets.  Throughout his career, Blackwell has played an instrumental part in building two syndicates from the ground up, with cross-class underwriting experience with a core focus on property in both the US and international markets. 

Blackwell joins ASML from Agora Syndicate 3268, where since 2016 he held the roles of head of treaty, deputy active underwriter and director of underwriting. In those roles he had responsibility across all underwriting operations, including exposure management, capital, risk and underwriting framework, reserving, performance analytics and outwards reinsurance. Prior to Agora, Blackwell was the head of specialty and property treaty at Endurance Syndicate 5151, formerly Montpelier and previously held a variety of roles at QBE. 

Burford said: “We are delighted to welcome James to the team – he has a wealth of multinational experience and skill garnered from his more than 20 years in the market as an underwriter.   

“His extensive knowledge and background will help us shape and build our growing property portfolio across our key markets in North America, Australasia and Europe. James will be instrumental in ensuring that we deliver an integrated offering that benefits both clients and partners, and which fully leverages the strengths of our products and services.”