Michael Watson

Chairman of the Board
Independent Non-Executive Director

Michael joined the Board of Carrick Group in December 2023.  He also serves as Chairman of InsurX Holdings, a digital risk placement exchange for the global corporate and specialty insurance market and as a Director of Carbon Underwriting Limited, a data-driven Managing General Underwriter specialising in international delegated underwriting arrangements.

Michael is the founder and former Chairman & CEO of Canopius Group, a global specialty (re)insurance business writing in excess of $4 billion GWP.  He led the business through two management buy-outs, two sales to strategic investors, and four major acquisitions.  Canopius now operates the largest syndicate at Lloyd’s.

Michael has over 45 years’ experience in financial services gained in London, New York, Bermuda and Ireland.  His sector involvement includes commercial and investment banking, trade finance, securities dealing and life insurance.  For the past 30 years, his focus has been specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance on a global basis.

Michael is a former Member of the Council of Lloyd’s and Board member of the Lloyd’s Market Association. He began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

 

Susan Pateras

Independent Non-Executive Director

Susan has over 25 years’ experience in Re/Insurance working in various domiciles including London, New York and Bermuda. As the former Chief Operating Officer of Liberty Mutual Bermuda (formerly Ironshore Insurance Ltd.), Susan has demonstrable in-depth knowledge and strong track record shaping strategic expansion and creating underwriting and operational transformation as evidenced through; 

  • Driving shareholder value and developing client solutions for risk while building and scaling two startups.

  • Holding executive roles at Marsh, WTW, Integro, Ironshore, and Liberty Mutual Bermuda, leading underwriting, distribution, and C-suite operations while creating new roles and opportunities for professionals to thrive. 

  • Serving as an Independent Director for financial services companies, guiding strategy and governance.

  • Speaking and sharing insights on digital transformation, leadership, and the evolving future of Re/Insurance.

  • Attending Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) graduating with a dual major in Risk Management & Insurance and Business Law and The Moller Institute, at The University of Cambridge – Advanced FDI Leadership program.

As a veteran insurance executive, Susan currently serves as an INED for a diverse portfolio of financial services companies, providing strategic oversight in governance, compliance, and risk management while supporting strategy and opportunities for growth.

 

Alan Waring

Independent Non-Executive Director

Alan has over forty five years’ experience in the (re)insurance industry, within both the (re)insurance carrier and (re)insurance broking sectors. 16 of those years were in Dublin and London and over 30 years have been in Bermuda and the US. During that time, he has at one time or another been involved in direct line responsibility for every aspect of the (re)insurance industry, from raising capital to form a company, building businesses and divisions within businesses, to management responsibility for all company operations including finance, HR and IT.

Alan has been particularly recognized for his expertise in the design and implementation of individual entity and group insurance and reinsurance placements, single and multiline programs, captives and rent-a-captives, for both public sector and commercial clients.

 

Raquel Santos Silva

Director

Joining Bedrock’s Wealth Management division in 2021 as a Director, Raquel is now a Partner at Bedrock and a Board member of Adaptogen Capital. Raquel began in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley and Santander before pursuing an MBA at Columbia University.

With experience in investment banking and management, she’s guided affluent families and entrepreneurs in creating enduring asset allocation strategies for both public and private market investments.

With over 12 years dedicated to wealth management, she enriched her experience at Goldman Sachs and Pictet in London, while also sharing her insights as a guest lecturer at Universidade Catolica Portuguesa and INSEAD. Beyond Bedrock, Raquel finds fulfilment in teaching.

 

Shahar Zer

Director

Shahar is a Partner of Northlight Group and member of the Investment Committee and Management Committee for the Northlight funds.

Shahar was previously at JP Morgan Private Bank (2008-2009), leading the establishment of the European Global Sales Trading desk in Europe.  At Lehman Brothers Europe (1998-2008), Shahar ran the Leveraged Loan Trading Desk, managing the Syndicate Desk risk (2007-2008) and the build-out of the European high yield trading desk, after a position as a high-yield and distressed credit analyst.  Shahar began his Lehman Brothers’ career in the M&A Group of the Investment Bank.

Shahar holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Rochester (US) and an MSc in Finance and Accounting from the London School of Economics.

 

Elizabeth Rasskazova

Director

Elizabeth is a Senior Research Analyst at Northlight Group. Prior to joining Northlight in 2020, Elizabeth was a Portfolio Manager with Polygon Partners, focusing on distressed and event-driven credit investing.

Elizabeth started her career at Goldman Sachs European Special Situations Group in 2005.  She holds graduate degrees in Economics and Finance from the University of Cambridge, and the London School of Economics.

A native Russian speaker, Elizabeth is fluent in English and German and also speaks French and Italian.​

 

Tom Nichols

Director, Chief Executive Officer

Tom Nichols has worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years. Mr. Nichols joined the Carrick Group as Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. and to lead mergers and acquisitions for the group.

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