{"id":305,"date":"2025-06-12T13:00:21","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheelerdm.com\/?p=305"},"modified":"2025-06-25T13:44:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:44:56","slug":"ils-is-fundamental-to-market-evolution-and-growth-mckeown-vantage-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.wheelerdm.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/12\/ils-is-fundamental-to-market-evolution-and-growth-mckeown-vantage-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"ILS Is fundamental to market evolution and growth: McKeown, Vantage Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

This content is copyright to www.artemis.bm<\/a> and should not appear anywhere else, or an infringement has occurred.<\/p>\n

In a rapidly evolving re\/insurance landscape, Vantage Risk is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation and adaptability, particularly in the insurance-linked securities (ILS) space.
\n<\/span>
\n\"chris-mckeown-vantage\"Speaking with Artemis, Chris McKeown, Chief Executive, Reinsurance, ILS, and Innovation, at Vantage Risk, outlined how the firm is approaching capital deployment, navigating current market dynamics, and leveraging ILS to drive sustainable, long-term growth.<\/p>\n

The firm has deployed a substantial amount of its $1.5bn partnership capital raise, and expects to deploy remaining capacity of appx. $100 million over the next month. According to McKeown, the firm\u2019s strategy has been shaped by both opportunity and caution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re ahead of where we were last year,\u201d McKeown said. \u201cThe reinsurance market is front-loaded, with most opportunities appearing between January and July. We\u2019ve maintained a focus on demand-driven, customized solutions that differentiate us in an increasingly crowded marketplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

A key part of this deployment includes a deliberate allocation to aggregate structures, where underwriting discipline is paramount, and these structures help craft a more diversified investment portfolio.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese structures require more robust analysis than traditional per-occurrence products. That\u2019s where our data and analytics capabilities provide real advantage, with approximately a quarter of our colleagues devoted to driving insights for underwriters,\u201d McKeown added.<\/p>\n

This tailored approach helps Vantage stay competitive, especially in a softening market.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs supply grows, we need to be more creative with our portfolio. We\u2019re focused on delivering large capacity and swift execution through bespoke deals that meet specific client needs,” McKeown said.<\/p>\n

McKeown emphasized that ILS is not just an ancillary part of Vantage\u2019s strategy, it\u2019s foundational to the firm\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe see ILS as absolutely fundamental to how the market continues to evolve and grow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

“It gives us access to more capital and supports product development, it brings transparency, promotes product innovation, and disciplines the P&L through frequent and rigorous investor reporting.\u201d<\/p>\n

ILS also offers access to deep, scalable capital that may not be available through traditional reinsurance channels during times of market stress. \u201cThat kind of capital, when properly managed, allows us to develop new products and extend coverage in ways that wouldn\u2019t be possible relying solely on our balance sheet,\u201d McKeown added.<\/p>\n

He cited Vantage\u2019s use of Bermuda\u2019s segregated cell technology as an example of the structural innovation that ILS makes possible. \u201cThese structures have helped push the entire market toward greater operational efficiency and clarity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moreover, McKeown acknowledged that while margins in the property catastrophe space have come down slightly since 2023, investor appetite for ILS remains strong, provided the value proposition is clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cILS remains non-correlating and provides tail protection in an investor\u2019s portfolio,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the diversifying nature of re\/insurance, it almost always makes sense to have some allocation to this asset strategy, even in parts of the market cycle where we may see softening pricing.\u201d<\/p>\n

More importantly, Vantage is seeing increased interest from investors in other lines of business.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of discussions around expanding into marine, energy, aviation, and cyber. These areas offer different market cycles and return expectations, which can help balance an investor\u2019s exposure beyond just property cat,” McKeown explained.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, McKeown sees flexibility and alignment as core tenets of Vantage\u2019s ILS strategy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re not just an asset-gathering platform. We’re here to ensure that every line of business we write delivers a return that resonates with investors,\u201d McKeown concludes.<\/p>\n

Read all of our interviews with ILS market and reinsurance sector professionals here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

ILS Is fundamental to market evolution and growth: McKeown, Vantage Risk<\/a> was published by: www.Artemis.bm<\/a>
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This content is copyright to www.artemis.bm and should not appear anywhere else, or an infringement has occurred. In a rapidly evolving re\/insurance landscape, Vantage Risk is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation and adaptability, particularly in the insurance-linked securities (ILS) space. Speaking with Artemis, Chris McKeown, Chief Executive, Reinsurance,…<\/p>\n

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