Argenta Syndicate Management has appointed Simon Saunders as unit head of marine reinsurance, effective July 2026, as the Lloyd's-focused business deepens its bench across treaty lines.
Saunders will report to Heath Callan, Argenta's divisional head of energy and marine.
Saunders joins with more than 25 years of reinsurance underwriting experience across marine, energy, aviation, and specialty treaty lines. His background includes foreign market (FMX) treaty business and the management of international portfolios across market cycles.
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He most recently served as a senior marine underwriter at Swiss Re, where his work covered treaty placements and portfolio evaluation in the London Market.
Before Swiss Re, Saunders held several senior roles at Barbican Syndicate 1955, later acquired by Arch, including head of reinsurance, head of marine division, and head of short tail lines. Those positions covered globally diversified portfolios across specialty classes.
Earlier in his career, he was a partner at JLT Re and held positions at Aon and Agnew Higgins Pickering, developing client and broker relationships across Europe, the US, and Asia.
Saunders will work alongside Stephen Haynes, the current unit head of marine reinsurance, to transition responsibilities ahead of Haynes' planned retirement in January 2027.
In the role, Saunders will oversee Argenta's marine treaty portfolio, with a focus on its international market position and existing broker relationships.
Heath Callan said Saunders' background in foreign market treaty business made him "a strong fit for this role." He added that the new hire will support continuity in the treaty portfolio while bringing additional depth and experience to the business.
Ian Burford, Argenta's underwriting director, said the firm was pleased to welcome Saunders to the team.
"He brings significant technical expertise and international experience, along with a strong track record in portfolio management," Burford said, adding that the appointment further strengthens Argenta's underwriting capability in the treaty market.
The Saunders hire follows a broader leadership build-out at Argenta in 2026. Alexandra Hayes joined as head of group strategy & execution and chief of staff at the start of January 2026, while Sweta Tzimopoulos is set to join later in the year as chief distribution officer, both reporting to CEO Nick Moore.
The appointment also comes as marine reinsurance markets continue to navigate shifting loss trends, evolving geopolitical exposures, and changing demand for treaty capacity across international portfolios.
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