Ascot strengthens board with appointments of Brewer, Flanagan and Sewell

Ascot Group has announced the appointment of Rosalind Brewer, Martin Flanagan and Robert Sewell to its board of directors, pending regulatory approval, as the Bermuda-based global specialty insurer looks to bolster its leadership team for the next phase of growth.

Brewer is currently interim president of Spelman College and a board member at United Airlines Holdings. She was previously chief executive of Walgreens Boots Alliance, where she led more than 450,000 employees globally and drove the transformation of the pharmacy chain into a healthcare and digital health business.

Flanagan is chairman of Engage Ventures and was previously president and chief executive of Invesco, where he oversaw the acquisition of Oppenheimer Funds. He is a CFA charter holder and certified public accountant.

Sewell is chairman of Ascot Underwriting Limited (AUL) and joined its board in 2023 as an independent non-executive director. He previously served as chief financial officer of Pension Insurance Corporation and has held a range of senior board and executive roles over the past two decades.

Kewsong Lee, chairman of Ascot Group, said: “We are excited to have these three dynamic executives join our Board of Directors. Roz, Marty and Rob each bring invaluable experiences and a unique set of leadership skills to this organisation. Their insight, expertise and judgement will be invaluable to the growth and expansion of the Ascot Group.”

Jonathan Zaffino, president and chief executive officer, added: “Ascot Group, our colleagues and clients, will all benefit from the strategic expertise, leadership qualities and vast experience that Roz, Marty and Rob bring to our organisation. I am excited to collaborate with each of them.”

Sam Blaichman, managing director at CPP Investments and Ascot board director, said: “We look forward to working with our new directors. The Ascot Group has achieved a tremendous level of success over the past few years, and the new board members’ expertise will be valuable in guiding Ascot through its next stage of growth. I also want to take the opportunity to thank Susan Sutherland, Murray Wallace and Sir Richard Dearlove for their service these past many years. Their guidance was invaluable to Ascot’s history and evolution.”