Ed Noonan, former chief executive officer of Validus Holdings, has returned to the Bermuda specialty market as chairman of StarStone Group as the company announces several management changes.
Dick Sanford is joining the specialty underwriter as president, StarStone said in a statement. He will oversee StarStone's global underwriting and reinsurance strategy.
Chris Rash is being promoted to CEO of StarStone International and deputy group CEO.
StarStone said it underwrites business across the property, specialty and casualty risk classes from operations in London, Continental Europe and the United States. It is owned by Enstar Group Ltd., Trident V funds managed by Stone Point Capital LLC and Dowling Capital Partners I L.P.
Noonan has more than 30 years of industry experience, said StarStone. He was most recently chairman and CEO of Validus Group, a position he held from 2005 to 2018.
Under Noonan's leadership, Validus “experienced significant success and growth” and was acquired by American International Group in 2018.
Sanford was previously chairman and president of PartnerRe US and head of property/casualty North America.
He has 35 years of insurance market experience, having begun his career as a casualty underwriter at AIG in 1984, said StarStone. He has since held a succession of senior roles, including executive vice president, TIG Re/Odyssey America Reinsurance and vice president, Cologne Reinsurance Company of America, before joining PartnerRe in 2000.
Rash, who joined StarStone in August 2018, will lead StarStone's international business, and operational strategy at group level, the company said. He has more than 20 years of industry experience, having held financial and operational leadership positions, including 15 years at RSA, and as group chief financial officer at MS Amlin.
—David Pilla