Hyperion Announces Appointment of New Chairman and CEO of Dual International

25.01.10

16th July 2009: Bob Van Gieson has today been named as the new Chairman and CEO of Dual International, the leading specialist underwriting agency and part of the Hyperion Insurance Group.  Bob has also been appointed to the main board of Hyperion.  

Bob has over 40 years’ insurance experience and most recently was President and CEO of Arch Insurance Company Europe.  Bob successfully built Arch from a start-up operation into a $500m business.  He is currently the Chairman of Arch Europe and sits on the board of its Lloyd’s Syndicate - positions he will be relinquishing following this appointment.

Previously Bob worked for CNA Financial where he was responsible for five business units with a revenue base of $1 billion.  During his tenure he established a broad international base along with a significant increase in revenue across all business units.

Prior to CNA, Bob had a 29 year career at the Chubb Corporation.  During this time he spent many years in Canada helping to build a strong and profitable Canadian operation.  He moved to London in 1990 and was responsible for European and Far Eastern operations.  He was a driving force behind Chubb’s expansion and under his leadership it was established as a significant international player.  

Bob takes over from Stephen Crowther who has been on the board of Hyperion for 11 years - 9 of them as a non-executive Director, and latterly as Chairman of Dual International.  

David Howden, CEO of Hyperion Insurance Group, comments: “I am delighted that Bob has joined us at such an exciting time.  Bob is well known to us as Arch Europe is the capacity provider to Dual and indeed it was Bob who was instrumental in starting the relationship between Dual and Arch Europe five years ago.  Bob has proved himself to be a real business builder and I have no doubt that he will be a fantastic asset to the Group.  He takes over Dual from Stephen Crowther in excellent health.  Dual now employs over 130 people in six countries, and has become a well established and leading underwriter with annual gross premiums of US$125m.  Stephen has chaired Dual for the last two years and was also a main board director of Hyperion when we brought 3i on board.  Following 3i’s investment Dual is now in a great position to capitalise on the many opportunities that lie ahead.”  

Bob Van Gieson added: “I’m delighted to be joining such a successful and dynamic organisation. I have been associated with Dual and Hyperion since I returned to London in 2003 to help Arch build its international presence, and since then I’ve witnessed the Group go from strength to strength.  I’m excited to be a part of the Group’s future and look forward to helping Dual achieve its next phase of growth.”