Atrium, the leading specialty insurance group at Lloyd’s, rolled out a wave of leadership moves across motor, aviation, and credit and political risk, backing its push to scale specialty lines at Lloyd’s.
The group says the changes deepen expertise where demand keeps rising and give brokers more defined access points across key classes.
Gabrielle Griffith steps into the newly created Head of Motor role. She plans to grow Atrium’s North American motor portfolio with a focus on Auto Physical Damage, Motor Truck Cargo, Non-Trucking Liability, and Truckers General Liability.
She’ll target specialist motor risks coming through data driven MGAs and coverholders, offering lead capacity and hands on risk management for trucking clients.
Griffith joined Atrium in 2012 and spent the past 13 years helping build its US property and casualty book. Before that, she worked at Markel on both US and London P&C business.
Active Underwriter Peter Laidlaw said Atrium tries to spot talent early and promote from within, and he expects Griffith to deliver something sharp for brokers and coverholders as the motor strategy ramps up.
At Atrium, we place a strong focus on identifying talent, fostering growth, and promoting from within to support our long-term success.
Peter Laidlaw, Active Underwriter, Syndicate 609
“I am delighted that Gabrielle will assume the leadership of our new dedicated Motor team. She has the drive and acumen to deliver a compelling proposition to brokers and coverholders as we look to develop our market share,” Peter Laidlaw comments.
Atrium also added Mark Connellan as an aviation underwriter. He’ll work alongside Bassel Matta, who leads the aviation team, and help build on a strong account that recently added Rob James as well.
Connellan arrives from Westfield Specialty, where he worked on the aviation war book after five years in Convex’s aerospace team.
Matta said the hire reinforces aviation as a core business for Atrium. He said Connellan’s background gives the team more depth and will lift the service brokers and clients see day to day.
Mark’s appointment is another example of our unwavering commitment to Aviation as a core line of business at Atrium.
Bassel Matta, Head of Aviation at Atrium, adds
“The addition of Mark, with his proven track record and comprehensive skillset, will further enhance the high-quality service we provide to our brokers and clients. We look forward to the valuable contributions he will make as part of the Atrium team,” Bassel Matta adds.
The group also unveiled a new credit and political risk team headed by Richard Lamb, one of the London market’s established names.
He joins with Beth MacGregor and Adam Vulliamy, forming what Atrium calls one of the strongest teams in the class. They’ll build a book across credit and political risk that adapts to shifting customer needs and a more volatile geopolitical backdrop.
Lamb brings more than 27 years of experience across carrier and broker roles. He, MacGregor, and Vulliamy all join from Axis Capital.
CEO John Fowle said the new team marks a major step in Atrium’s evolution as a specialty underwriter and gives brokers a go to option for complex credit and political risk programs. He said the trio’s track record managing intricate portfolios positions Atrium well for clients navigating uncertain global conditions.
Our entry into the Credit and Political Risk market marks a significant milestone for Atrium in our continued development as expert specialty underwriters and the home for market-leading talent.
John Fowle, CEO at Atrium
“In today’s dynamic and increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, “Credit and Political Risk insurance plays a pivotal role in safeguarding investments and facilitating trade, and demands true expertise to deliver sustainable underwriting solutions,” John Fowle comments.
All three will start in Q1 2026 after finishing their contractual obligations.
According to Beinsure, in November, Atrium announced it has been granted “in principle” approval from Lloyd’s for their new Syndicate 2026.
Subject to the completion of all final approvals, the new Syndicate will commence underwriting from 1/1/26 with an initial target GWP of $150 mn for the 2026 year of account. The Syndicate will initially focus on Delegated Property Catastrophe and Weather and Climate Risk.
The new Syndicate represents an important milestone in Atrium’s history and another important step in the delivery of its strategic transformation agenda.
Capital support for the new syndicate comes from a mix of trade, institutional and traditional capital. Capital Advisory support was provided by Aon and Evercore.
Atrium currently manages Syndicate 609, which writes insurance and reinsurance business across property, casualty, and specialty business groups.
