Strategic Advisory

Independent advice for complex strategic, capital, and risk decisions.

Strategic decisions in the (re)insurance sector are increasingly shaped by capital constraints, rating considerations, regulatory scrutiny, and market volatility. Clients need clear, objective advice to determine where to deploy capital, how to structure risk, and how to navigate growth, acquisition, and balance‑sheet challenges with confidence.

We are a transaction‑agnostic, sector‑specialist advisory team, combining deep (re)insurance expertise with the reach and resources of a leading global independent intermediary. We provide objective, data‑driven advice, from strategic planning and buy‑side diligence to capital optimisation and ratings support. We deliver outcomes that stand up to scrutiny from boards, investors, and regulators.

Whether evaluating a strategic opportunity, preparing for growth or acquisition, or seeking an independent perspective on capital and risk, we support informed decision‑making and confident execution.

What We Do

Strategy

The viability of any (re)insurance strategy ultimately depends on underwriting performance and capital discipline. A clear understanding of market dynamics is therefore critical. We instill confidence across planning and execution through:

• Market intelligence and benchmarking
• Strategic partnerships
• Buy‑side advisory services
• Investment case development, including investment committee and board presentations
• Re/insurance programme efficacy analysis
• Financial modelling

Risk‑Capital Guidance

We provide clarity and understanding when it comes to managing and optimising capital requirements. We achieve balanced outcomes for policyholders, shareholders, and other key stakeholders. Our expertise spans shareholder, rating agency, and solvency frameworks, with a focus on business mix, loss exposure, reserves, assets, and reinsurance structures.

Our solutions include:

• Third‑party capital arrangements
• Risk retention strategy, structuring, and implementation
• Risk portfolio performance evaluation and return attribution analysis
• Ratings and solvency advisory services, including:
  • Initial and indicative ratings
  • Upgrade strategies and downgrade defences
  • Risk‑based “as‑if” scenarios

Case Studies

Capital & Ratings Advisory – Start‑Up Hybrid Fronting Carrier

Client
A now‑leading hybrid fronting carrier

Challenge
Validate the business plan, determine optimal capital structure and investment requirements, and prepare for an initial AM Best rating

Engagement
Direct appointment by principals

Scope
United States programme market

Timeline
Eight weeks, plus post‑rating‑meeting support

Key Deliverables

• Business plan and financial model validation, including MGA market benchmarking
• Stochastic BCAR analysis across multiple business plan and reinsurance iterations
• Ratings documentation and presentation preparation
• Scenario analysis and working financial models
• Supplemental market analysis for rating analysts and investors

Buy‑Side Advisory

Client
Large pension fund

Challenge

• Understand risk‑return dynamics of the re/insurance sector as a first‑time investor
• Assess sidecars and other underwriting risk participation models

Engagement
Won via competitive RFP against global consultants and re/insurance brokers

Scope
Global, with emphasis on the United States and Western Europe

Timeline
Phase I: Twelve weeks
Phase II: Approximately six months

Key Deliverables

• Analytical framework covering profitability, capital requirements, and risk quantification
• Evaluation of re/insurance investment opportunities, including tranching and portfolio construction
• Assessment of participation models across insurance and reinsurance vehicles
• Introduction and arrangement of multiple investments

Group Risk Management & Capital Deployment Strategy

Client
Large Asia‑based re/insurance group

Challenge

• Preparation for initial S&P and AM Best ratings
• Independent assessment of group and operating‑company economic capital
• Strategy for allocation and deployment of economic capital

Engagement
Selected through open RFP against leading global consultancies, including McKinsey, PwC, and Oliver Wyman

Scope
Asia‑Pacific and rest of world

Timeline

• ~12 months: ERM framework established; A+ and A ratings assigned
• ~6 months: Economic capital methodology agreed
• ~6 months: Capital deployment strategies assessed and implementation commenced

Key Deliverables

• Identification of development needs for effective risk assessment and reporting
• Staff training across actuarial tools, processes, and governance
• Documented sum‑of‑parts economic capital assessment at group and operating‑company level
• Interactive development of market‑constrained capital deployment strategies
• Ongoing review and reassessment against evolving market conditions