OAK Reinsurance has announced a series of strategic underwriting appointments as part of its continued organisational development, following a successful launch in November 2024. Under the leadership of group chief underwriting officer Cathal Carr, OAK has appointed Sarah Walcott as director of underwriting for property. She is responsible for property catastrophe, property specialty and property per risk business, and reports to James Irvine, chief underwriting officer for OAK Re. Conrad Williams has been named director of underwriting for specialty lines, including marine, energy, political violence and cyber. He also reports to James Irvine. Karen Barker will join the firm in Q4 2025 as director of underwriting for credit. She will lead the credit portfolio, covering conventional credit business such as single-name and whole-turnover coverage, export credit agencies (ECAs), political risk and surety. She will report to Tom Dickson, president of innovation strategies. In addition to these segment-specific appointments, Ciara Svensen has taken on the role of head of ceded. She is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of ceded reinsurance across all business classes, reporting to Alex Winfield, chief capital officer and head of strategy. Tom Morgan has been appointed head of business development, managing strategic assumed relationships with distribution partners and global multiclass clients. He reports to Roland Morse, managing director, London. Commenting on the announcement, Cathal Carr, chief executive officer, founder and group CUO, says: “The quality, breadth and diversity of talent we have appointed across Underwriting, Capital & Risk, and Operations & Finance is absolutely fantastic. This development of our organisational structure will enhance our capabilities in these areas, while ensuring we are focussed on servicing our clients and distribution partners, providing solutions in areas of evolving risk, and delivering profitable growth.” Since 1 January 2025, the global reinsurer has written approximately US$400 million in gross written premium at its target profitability, and now serves over 400 clients worldwide. Its team has grown to nearly 50 professionals across underwriting, capital and risk, and finance and operations.
