Eric Malterre Appointed as CUO to Strengthen ASR’s Strategic Growth
Africa Specialty Risks (ASR), an African base specialist risk solution provider, appointed Eric Malterre as its first Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) as part of its strategic move to further enhance its underwriting capacity in tandem with its growth momentum into African markets.
Londoner Malterre will report to ASR Chief Executive Officer Mikir Shah and work alongside the firm’s leadership team. His hiring is an extension of a company-wide initiative to strengthen its executive ranks and serve its clients in more technical and locally responsive underwriting.
Eric Malterre Brings a Wealth of Global and Multidisciplinary Expertise
Eric Malterre brings more than 25 years of global insurance and risk management experience to ASR. With a background in senior executive roles throughout the European continent, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, he has appreciation for complex risk environments as well as understanding of how up-and-coming markets operate.
Malterre’s educational qualifications are equally impressive. He graduated from the globe’s top institutions, including France’s Saint-Cyr Military Academy, HEC Paris, and the United States’ University of Chicago. This combination of theory and practice qualifies him as a front strategic leader for ASR’s underwriting business.
Eric Malterre’s Career Spans Leading Global Insurance Institutions
Throughout his professional life, Eric Malterre has held senior roles at some of the sector’s most renowned names. He has led Marsh, a top insurance broker worldwide; Coface, Europe’s number one trade credit insurer; AXA, an insurance group for multinationals with strong growth on the African continent; and Sedgwick, the world leader in the handling business of claims.
This breadth of experience throughout the various segments of the value chain of insurance gives Malterre unique knowledge of underwriting, risk management, and client solutions—knowledge he will now bring to ASR as the company doubles down on its growth initiatives in African markets.
Eric Malterre to Power ASR’s Vision for African Risk Solutions
ASR came into existence with a dream of delivering personalized risk solutions to organizations doing business in and between Africa. The company offers long-tail coverage, such as political risk, trade credit, energy, construction, and specialty lines, all that are specifically designed to cater to the diverse and evolving needs of the continent.
The hiring of a CUO, ASR is saying it is committed to technical underwriting excellence and building its ability to deliver stable, long-term risk capacity. Malterre will oversee ASR’s underwriting standards being aligned with the best of global practices, as well as the continent’s distinctive risk profiles and commercial realities.
The decision to implement a Chief Underwriting Officer position was prompted by increasing complexity and maturity of regional client needs, ASR CEO Mikir Shah says.
Eric’s leadership in underwriting and experience on the international stage will be central to facilitating ASR’s ability to provide sound, high-quality protection to customers, Shah said. “His track record of developing and executing underwriting strategy in the developed and emerging world positions him uniquely for this role.”
Eric Malterre to Support Insurance Capacity and Resilience in Africa
Africa continues to experience growing demand for insurance products, spurred by rising infrastructure development, foreign direct investment, and regional economic integration. Most of the continent, however, remains deprived of access to suitable insurance solutions and technical underwriting capacity.
By enhancing its underwriting skills, ASR aims to bridge that gap. Building regional capacity and local competencies with the goal of establishing a more resilient and self-sustaining African insurance culture is also a commitment for ASR.
Malterre’s role will be to lead underwriting teams, formulate sound risk frameworks, and work closely with reinsurers to ensure the sustainability of ASR’s underwriting portfolio.
Eric Malterre’s Appointment Signals Innovation and Stronger Governance
Eric Malterre’s hiring is a powerful signal that ASR is not only betting on growth but on technical proficiency, governance, and greater resilience as well. In an operating environment where political, economic, and environmental threats are still out there, having a seasoned CUO guide underwriting is a valuable asset.
As the business grows, his leadership will be critical to ensuring that risk is fairly priced, underwritten conservatively, and written to stimulate development, not deter it.
Under Malterre’s leadership, ASR is poised to become a anchor player in the evolving risk landscape of Africa, with the sort of local savvy and international backing that clients need in today’s uncertain world.
Conclusion: Eric Malterre’s Role Key to ASR’s Future Leadership
The appointment of Eric Malterre as Chief Underwriting Officer is a milestone towards Africa Specialty Risks’ quest to become the pillar of the insurance and reinsurance industry in Africa. With an experienced world-class underwriting leader, ASR is setting the stage for sustainable development, better client outcomes, and long-term regional leadership.
