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Firms To Watch: Insurance

Ogier strengthened its Guernsey insurance offering with the February 2023 arrival of new practice head Richard Sharp from Bedell Cristin. The practice advises clients on insurance-linked securities, regulatory matters and M&A in the insurance sector.

Insurance in Guernsey

Bedell Cristin

Bedell Cristin is well placed to advise clients on the full spectrum of insurance matters, including insurance-linked securities, captive insurers, pension longevity risk swaps and commercial insurance coverage. The practice supports insurers from their formation to complex regulatory matters, as well as advising on insurance-related transactions. Dylan Latimer took over leadership of the practice following the December 2022 departure of Richard Sharp to Ogier, and advises on reinsurance transactions and other complex insurance deals. Senior associate Tendai Gakanje focuses on insurance transactions, with an in-depth understanding of Guernsey cellular structures.

Practice head(s):

Dylan Latimer


Other key lawyers:

Tendai Gakanje


Key clients

Artex Risk Solutions


Credit Risk Transfer Solutions


Spring Insure


Robus Group


Munich Re


Menora Mivtachim


First Central Group


Work highlights


  • Advised Menora Mivtachim Insurance Company on its £112m investment in Brockton Everlast.

Carey Olsen

Carey Olsen assists clients with a wide variety of insurance-related transactions, including cross-border M&A and longevity risk swaps. On the regulatory front, the team advises insurers on licencing, ongoing obligations and ancillary matters such as competition issues. With decades of experience advising insurers and reinsurers, practice head Christopher Anderson advises on all aspects of Guernsey insurance law and related corporate matters. Natasha Kapp advises insurers on policy interpretation and wording in addition to regulatory matters. Senior associate Arya Hashemi is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Chris Anderson


Other key lawyers:

Natasha Kapp; Arya Hashemi


Key clients

Northstar Group


Utmost PanEurope DAC


Peregrine Life Limited


Discovery Holiday Parks Pty Limited


Brickell Insurance Holdings LLC


Work highlights


  • Advised Northstar on its acquisition of Old Mutual International (Guernsey).
  • Advised Utmost PanEurope DAC on the transfer of its Guernsey long-term insurance business from Quilter International Ireland to Utmost PanEurope.
  • Advised Discovery Holiday Parks on the establishment of a new Guernsey captive insurer.

Walkers

Walkers‘ insurance team advises on the spectrum of Guernsey insurance law issues, assisting clients with the establishment of a range of insurance structures, including captives and protected cell companies, while also supporting with insurance-related M&A. Leading the practice is consultant Kate Storey, who advises clients on the establishment and operation of insurance companies, governance and regulatory issues, and alternative risk transfer transactions. Senior counsel Jessica Robinson focuses her practice on corporate transactions and is also able to assist with restructuring measures.

Practice head(s):

Kate Storey


Other key lawyers:

Jessica Robinson


Testimonials

‘We required a specialised reinsurance expertise and the Walkers team was able to provide the advice we needed. We appreciate that their advice was not simply answering our questions, but constructive and forward-thinking.’

‘Kate Storey is approachable and accessible, she is always helpful, whether answering a quick question or a matter that requires more detailed advice.’

Key clients

EEA Life Settlements Fund PCC Limited


Stubben Edge Group Limited


ICL Pension Trust Limited


Toronto-Dominion Bank


ANT Insure


White Rock Insurance Company PCC Limited


Platinum Equity Advisors LLC


Steadfast Group


Astaara Company Limited


Lloyds Bank International, Guernsey


Work highlights


  • Advised Toronto-Dominion Bank on the Guernsey corporate and regulatory aspects of its proposed acquisition of Cowen, specifically in relation to Kelvin Re, which is licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission as a commercial reinsurer.
  • Represented White Rock Insurance Company in a contractual dispute before the Royal Court in Guernsey.
  • Advised Stubben Edge on the establishment of a new Guernsey protected cell company, licensed as a commercial retail general insurer, which offers a range of personal lines and commercial lines products to customers in the UK.

Mourant

Mourant‘s insurance offering straddles the firm’s corporate and dispute resolution teams, and is particularly known for its expertise in insurance M&A work, as well as its proficiency in advising on the establishment and operation of insurance companies. Heading the non-contentious aspect of the practice are John Lewis, an insurance and pensions specialist, and regulatory expert Helen Wyatt, who advises both reinsurers and captive insurers. Gordon Dawes handles contentious insurance matters, representing clients in a range of disputes including professional negligence, D&O and coverage matters. Counsel Chantal Barrett acts on contentious matters concerning professional indemnity, D&I and regulatory enforcement. Senior associate Andrew Grant advises insurers on corporate and regulatory issues.

Practice head(s):

John Lewis; Helen Wyatt; Gordon Dawes


Other key lawyers:

Chantal Barrett; Andrew Grant


Key clients

Fidelio Capital


Standard Life


Zurich


Work highlights


  • Advised Zurich Insurance on the recognition under Guernsey law of a UK court-approved scheme under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 in respect of Guernsey resident policyholders.
  • Advised Kelvin Re on its acquisition by Cowen and the subsequent announcement of a definitive agreement for TD Bank Group to acquire Cowen.
  • Advised FC Sun Intressenter on its acquisition of UK-based Trinity Property Group through its portfolio company Odevo, focusing in particular on the target’s Guernsey captive insurance arrangements.