New Member Announcement: Africa Specialty Risks, Canopius, and Chaucer
The Berne Union welcomes Africa Specialty Risks, Canopius, and Chaucer as Observers, expanding total membership to 92 members from 68 countries globally
Following a formal vote after this May's Spring Meeting in Astana, all three organisations have joined the Berne Union as Observer Members. They will now participate in the MLT Committee, contributing to its work on medium- and long-term credit guarantees, insurance, and foreign investment.
Africa Specialty Risks (ASR)
is a pan-African and Middle East-focused specialty (re)insurance group providing bespoke risk mitigation solutions tailored to emerging market needs. ASR brings a strong regional perspective on political and credit risks in Africa and the Middle East, complementing the existing mix of public and private institutions within the MLT Committee.
Canopius
is a global specialty (re)insurer based in London, underwriting political risk and trade credit as a Lloyd’s syndicate, with underwriting operations in the US, Bermuda, Singapore, Australia and other international markets.
Chaucer
is a leading specialty (re)insurance group. The formal applicant is Chaucer Syndicates Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chaucer Group, itself part of China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation (China Re), a Chinese state-owned reinsurance group headquartered in Beijing and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Chaucer writes business via Lloyd’s Syndicates 1084 and 1176 and through Chaucer Insurance Company DAC (CIC), which has a UK branch and additional branches in Denmark and Bermuda.
Collectively, these organisations add meaningful capacity and complementary perspectives to the Berne Union’s MLT community, reinforcing the growing role of private insurers in supporting medium- and long-term trade, investment and infrastructure projects worldwide.
“These organisations bring substantial specialist expertise to the Berne Union’s MLT Committee. Their track records in political risk and trade credit underwriting, combined with strong international and regional footprints, will enhance our work to support stable, long-term flows of trade and investment. We look forward to their active participation in our discussions and initiatives, and to the fresh perspectives they will contribute to cooperation, risk-sharing and innovation across the public and private credit and investment insurance community.”
BU Secretary General, Paul Heaney
