HAMILTON, Bermuda – December 18, 2018 – Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO), an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products, today announced the appointment of Matt Harris to lead the company’s international insurance operations, including the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Bermuda. He will begin in this new role as Group Head of International Operations on January 1, 2019. Jose A. Hernandez, who is currently International Operations Head, will become responsible for leading strategic initiatives across the company as International Operations Chair. Both Harris and Hernandez will report to CEO Mark E. Watson III.
“These changes are a reflection of our deep bench of talented senior executives at Argo,” said Argo Group CEO Mark E. Watson III. “Jose has led the continued transformation of our international business and brought on board a number of key executives. I am pleased we will now have the benefit of his insight and expertise applied across the company. Matt’s vast experience in both international operations and distribution makes him uniquely suited to move into his broader leadership role.”
Harris joined Argo in 2017 and was previously responsible for a large portion of Argo’s international business, including Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He brings more than 25 years of insurance experience to his new role. Harris joined Argo from AIG where he led South East Asia Country Operations. Prior to that, he was CEO of AIG Malaysia Insurance and CEO of AIG New Zealand. Earlier in his career, Harris served as chief representative for Insurance Australia Group in Mumbai, India. He has completed the Executive Finance Program at Mt. Eliza Business School in Melbourne, Australia and is a Senior Associate member with the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.
Hernandez joined Argo in 2016. With more than 30 years of industry experience, he started his career working for several insurers in the U.S. and abroad. He went on to spend more than 20 years with AIG in a number of senior leadership roles in the consumer and commercial segments. He has expertise in field operations, distribution, underwriting, claims, strategic planning and management. Over the course of his career, Hernandez has held country (Mexico), regional (Asia), and global (New York corporate headquarters) roles.
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ABOUT ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO) is an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo Group offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims handling needs of businesses in two primary segments: U.S. Operations and International Operations. Argo Group’s insurance subsidiaries are A.M. Best-rated ‘A’ (Excellent) (third highest rating out of 16 rating classifications) with a stable outlook, and Argo Group’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries are Standard and Poor’s-rated ‘A-‘ (Strong) with a positive outlook. More information on Argo Group and its subsidiaries is available at www.argolimited-stage.com.
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David Snowden
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.
Tel. +1 210 792 2765
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Susan Spivak Bernstein
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.
Tel. +1 212 607 8835
[email protected]
