(Image credit: Mark Harpur/Unsplash.)
Ascot Group Limited, a Bermuda-based global specialty insurance company, has announced the hiring of Mark Wilcox as its new Group Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Group CEO and President Jonathan Zaffino, effective November 8, 2023. In his new role, Wilcox will be responsible for leading Ascot’s global finance organization and capital strategy, including all financial planning and analysis, tax and treasury functions.
Jonathan Zaffino, Group CEO and President, Ascot Group.
“I am thrilled to welcome Mark to the Ascot family, comments Zaffino. “Mark’s unique and diverse experiences, along with his undisputed track record of success, will help accelerate Ascot’s strategic pursuits and ambitions. As we continue to expand our organization globally, across both the specialty insurance and reinsurance segments, Mark’s proven financial acumen will be a significant addition to our leadership team, our colleagues and our valued clients.”
Wilcox joins Ascot from Selective Insurance Group (Branchville, N.J.), where he led the firm’s global finance operations and capital management strategy, as well as accounting, treasury, investor relations, internal audit, investments, reinsurance, enterprise risk management, procurement, contracts, and tax, in his role as Executive VP and CFO. During his almost seven years at Selective, Wilcox oversaw the modernization of the firm’s financial reporting process. He partnered with executives across the global finance team, working closely with the board and external constituencies to help drive significant shareholder value.
Mark Wilcox, Group CFO, Ascot Group.
“I am so honored and proud to be joining Ascot Group, a firm I have admired for many years,” comments Wilcox. “I look forward to being a part of Ascot’s exceptional leadership team and working to advance the company’s strategic agenda. In a short time, I have been able to see how dynamic and entrepreneurial Ascot’s culture is, and I look forward to working to elevate its mission of creating the best specialty insurance products and reinsurance solutions for clients across the globe.”
Prior to joining Selective, Wilcox spent over thirteen years at Renaissance Re in Bermuda where he served as SVO, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. There he managed a global team across Finance, Investor Relations, Actuarial and Tax, and strengthened the firm’s financial operations, processes, and reporting. He is an alumnus of Georgetown University’s Robert Emmett McDonough School of Business, where he received his Master of Business Administration. Wilcox is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst. Mark will be based out of Ascot’s Stamford, Conn. office.
“Ascot Group extends its deepest thanks to outgoing CFO Joe Roberts for his years of diligent service and leadership to the organization,” Zaffino adds.