CIGNA Re Unit And Creechurch Form Lloyd's Syndicate

CIGNA Reinsurance Division, one of the world's largest providers of personal accident reinsurance, and Creechurch Underwriting Ltd., a Lloyd's managing agent, have teamed up to form Lloyd's Syndicate 1607. A subsidiary of CIGNA Re Corp. will be sole corporate underwriting member.

The syndicate opens for business today, rather than in January, as is customary at Lloyd's, which "reflects CIGNA and Creechurch's enthusiasm for the venture,'' according to George Hartz, senior vice president, CIGNA Reinsurance Division.

Syndicate 1607 will focus on a full range of accident and health insurance products.

"Syndicate 1607 brings together the strong U.K. distribution channels of Creechurch with the worldwide representation of CIGNA Reinsurance," said Bruce Graham, managing director, Creechurch Underwriting Ltd. "Our syndicate will be distribution-led; we will be very proactive in generating new sources of business and providing accessible, high quality service to intermediaries."

According to Syndicate 1607 Active Underwriter Jonathan Thomas, "The Syndicate number—1607—represents the year the British established Jamestown, the first settlement in America. Similarly, we view 1607 to be the first step in a venture with a vast potential for growth and success."

Thomas, who began his career in Lloyd's in 1982, has specialized in underwriting Accident and Health business since 1984. Prior to joining Syndicate 1607, Thomas had been with Brockbank Group. He is joined by Syndicate Deputy Gavin Watson, formerly of Crawley Warren Lloyd's Brokers, and Assistant Underwriter Samantha Moss, formerly of Brockbank.

The company says Syndicate 1607 stamp capacities for 1999 and 2000 are expected to be 16 million pounds sterling and 19 million pounds, respectively.