Our Global Leadership Team
Newline Group Executive Team
Robert Pollock
Chief Executive Officer
Robert Pollock was appointed CEO of Odyssey Group’s London Market Division, which encompasses both the London branch of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group, the international insurance arm of Odyssey Group, in April 2023.
Robert joined Odyssey Group in 2004 in the casualty treaty underwriting division and has since progressed through several positions, each with increased underwriting authority and broader responsibilities. He was named the Head of U.S. Financial Lines, Cyber and Workers Compensation in 2021.
Robert received a BS in Business Administration from Penn State University and studied Data Analytics at the Harvard Business School. He holds ARe and CPCU designations.
Robert Pollock was appointed CEO of Odyssey Group’s London Market Division, which encompasses both the London branch of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group, the international insurance arm of Odyssey Group, in April 2023.
Robert joined Odyssey Group in 2004 in the casualty treaty underwriting division and has since progressed through several positions, each with increased underwriting authority and broader responsibilities. He was named the Head of U.S. Financial Lines, Cyber and Workers Compensation in 2021.
Robert received a BS in Business Administration from Penn State University and studied Data Analytics at the Harvard Business School. He holds ARe and CPCU designations.
Henry Withinshaw
Chief Operating Officer and
Compliance Officer
Henry Withinshaw is the Chief Operating Officer and Compliance Officer of Newline Group and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Newline Europe Versicherung A.G.
Henry joined the Company in 2016 with more than 25 years of insurance and reinsurance underwriting and management experience. He was previously with Markel, where he served as COO of Markel Europe, and, prior to that, worked at Miller Insurance and Sirius International. He started his insurance career as a treaty underwriter in the Lloyd’s market.
A graduate of the University of Nottingham, Henry is ACII qualified and is on the board of the Lloyd’s Market Association.
Compliance Officer
Henry Withinshaw is the Chief Operating Officer and Compliance Officer of Newline Group and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Newline Europe Versicherung A.G.
Henry joined the Company in 2016 with more than 25 years of insurance and reinsurance underwriting and management experience. He was previously with Markel, where he served as COO of Markel Europe, and, prior to that, worked at Miller Insurance and Sirius International. He started his insurance career as a treaty underwriter in the Lloyd’s market.
A graduate of the University of Nottingham, Henry is ACII qualified and is on the board of the Lloyd’s Market Association.
Andrew Pecover
Chief Underwriting Officer and
Active Underwriter
Andrew Pecover is the Chief Underwriting Officer of Newline Group. Since 2022, he has been responsible for the underwriting operations for Newline Syndicate 1218 and Newline Insurance Company Limited across all lines of business including Affinity and Special Risks, Directors & Officers Liability, Financial Institutions and Commercial Crime, Liability, Life Sciences and Clinical Trials, Medical Malpractice, Professional Indemnity, Space and Cargo & Specie.
Andrew joined Newline in 2018 as its Directors & Officers Liability Team Leader, later advancing to the Head of Financial and Professional Lines and Deputy Active Underwriter.
With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, his background spans multiple roles across Lloyd’s syndicates, brokerage firms and a managing general agency.
Active Underwriter
Andrew Pecover is the Chief Underwriting Officer of Newline Group. Since 2022, he has been responsible for the underwriting operations for Newline Syndicate 1218 and Newline Insurance Company Limited across all lines of business including Affinity and Special Risks, Directors & Officers Liability, Financial Institutions and Commercial Crime, Liability, Life Sciences and Clinical Trials, Medical Malpractice, Professional Indemnity, Space and Cargo & Specie.
Andrew joined Newline in 2018 as its Directors & Officers Liability Team Leader, later advancing to the Head of Financial and Professional Lines and Deputy Active Underwriter.
With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, his background spans multiple roles across Lloyd’s syndicates, brokerage firms and a managing general agency.
Robert Kastner
Head of Claims
Robert Kastner is the Head of Claims for the London Market Division of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group. He is on the Executive Board of Newline Europe Versicherung A.G. (Newline Europe) and is responsible for its operation within the Newline Group.
In 2004, he moved in-house as Head of Claims for Odyssey Reinsurance Company’s London Market Division which includes Odyssey’s UK Branch, Odyssey’s Lloyd’s platform, Newline Syndicate 1218 and Newline Insurance Company Limited. Robert was appointed to the boards of Newline Underwriting Management Limited and Newline Insurance Company Limited in 2006.
Since 2017, Robert has also been responsible for delivering Newline Insurance Company Limited’s post Brexit solution for its EEA insureds with the formation in 2019 of Newline Europe, a German licensed, regulated and capitalized insurance company based in Cologne.
He obtained a Diploma from the University of Lille, an LLB at the University of Buckingham and attended the College of Law, London before passing the Law Society Finals exams in 1990.
Robert Kastner is the Head of Claims for the London Market Division of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group. He is on the Executive Board of Newline Europe Versicherung A.G. (Newline Europe) and is responsible for its operation within the Newline Group.
In 2004, he moved in-house as Head of Claims for Odyssey Reinsurance Company’s London Market Division which includes Odyssey’s UK Branch, Odyssey’s Lloyd’s platform, Newline Syndicate 1218 and Newline Insurance Company Limited. Robert was appointed to the boards of Newline Underwriting Management Limited and Newline Insurance Company Limited in 2006.
Since 2017, Robert has also been responsible for delivering Newline Insurance Company Limited’s post Brexit solution for its EEA insureds with the formation in 2019 of Newline Europe, a German licensed, regulated and capitalized insurance company based in Cologne.
He obtained a Diploma from the University of Lille, an LLB at the University of Buckingham and attended the College of Law, London before passing the Law Society Finals exams in 1990.
Neil Duncan
Chief Actuary
Neil Duncan is the Chief Actuary and Chief Risk Officer of the London Market Division of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group.
He has been with the company since 2005 and Chief Actuary since 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Neil worked for Alea London and for RSA as a Pricing Actuary. He began his training with Sedgwick Noble Lowndes.
Neil received a BSc in Mathematics from Durham University and is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Neil Duncan is the Chief Actuary and Chief Risk Officer of the London Market Division of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group.
He has been with the company since 2005 and Chief Actuary since 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Neil worked for Alea London and for RSA as a Pricing Actuary. He began his training with Sedgwick Noble Lowndes.
Neil received a BSc in Mathematics from Durham University and is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Sonny Kapur
Chief Financial Officer
Sonny Kapur is the Chief Financial Officer of the London Market Division of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group. He is on the Boards of Newline Underwriting Management Limited, Newline Insurance Company Limited, Newline Corporate Name, Newline Holdings UK Limited and the Supervisory Board of Newline Europe Versicherung AG.
He joined the company in 2009 and has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining the Company, Sonny had worked for Travelers Syndicate Management Limited as Finance Director.
Sonny holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy Studies and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Sonny Kapur is the Chief Financial Officer of the London Market Division of Odyssey Reinsurance Company and Newline Group. He is on the Boards of Newline Underwriting Management Limited, Newline Insurance Company Limited, Newline Corporate Name, Newline Holdings UK Limited and the Supervisory Board of Newline Europe Versicherung AG.
He joined the company in 2009 and has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining the Company, Sonny had worked for Travelers Syndicate Management Limited as Finance Director.
Sonny holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy Studies and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Jade Washington
Head of Human Resources
Jade Washington is the Head of Human Resources for Newline Group, responsible for the execution of HR Strategy and core areas of the HR department, including recruitment, employee relations, employee engagement, payroll and benefits.
Jade’s HR Management career began at USAA Insurance in 2002, and she joined Newline in 2018 following over a decade with Markel International.
Jade obtained a post graduate diploma in HR Management and is Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Jade Washington is the Head of Human Resources for Newline Group, responsible for the execution of HR Strategy and core areas of the HR department, including recruitment, employee relations, employee engagement, payroll and benefits.
Jade’s HR Management career began at USAA Insurance in 2002, and she joined Newline in 2018 following over a decade with Markel International.
Jade obtained a post graduate diploma in HR Management and is Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Explore Regional Teams
Asia
Newline Group operates through various service companies in Asia, including Newline Asia Services Pte. Ltd., Newline Malaysia Limited and Newline Hong Kong Services Limited, offering localized and customized insurance services across the region.
Newline Asia Services Pte. Ltd, based in Singapore, opened for business on 1st May 2007 and acts as a service company for Newline Syndicate 1218, with authority to underwrite the full range of products offered. Newline Hong Kong Services Limited was established in December 2024, offering the full range of products offered by Newline Asia.
Our business platform includes Newline Malaysia Limited, a service company located in Labuan, a marketing office in Kuala Lumpur, and we also have a presence at Lloyd’s in Shanghai. To view these offerings, visit the Newline Underwriting Division page at Lloyd’s Insurance Company (China) Ltd.
We have the ability to issue direct insurance policies in Singapore and Hong Kong and facultative reinsurance across the Asian region.
Newline Asia Services Pte. Ltd, based in Singapore, opened for business on 1st May 2007 and acts as a service company for Newline Syndicate 1218, with authority to underwrite the full range of products offered. Newline Hong Kong Services Limited was established in December 2024, offering the full range of products offered by Newline Asia.
Our business platform includes Newline Malaysia Limited, a service company located in Labuan, a marketing office in Kuala Lumpur, and we also have a presence at Lloyd’s in Shanghai. To view these offerings, visit the Newline Underwriting Division page at Lloyd’s Insurance Company (China) Ltd.
We have the ability to issue direct insurance policies in Singapore and Hong Kong and facultative reinsurance across the Asian region.
Rachel Flynn
Chief Executive Officer
Simon Moi
Chief Underwriting Officer
Australia
Newline Australia Insurance Pty Ltd acts as a service company for Newline Syndicate 1218 at Lloyd’s, delivering tailored insurance solutions and local service to clients in Australia.
Learn more about Newline Australia’s product offerings.
Learn more about Newline Australia’s product offerings.
Craig Rowsell
Chief Executive Officer
Canada
Newline Canada Insurance Limited was established in March 2018 and acts as a service company for Newline Syndicate 1218 at Lloyd’s.
It provides localized and customized insurance services as part of Newline Group’s global network, ensuring solid security and tailored coverage for clients in Canada.
It provides localized and customized insurance services as part of Newline Group’s global network, ensuring solid security and tailored coverage for clients in Canada.
Jim Benson
Chief Underwriting Officer
Europe
Newline Europe Versicherung AG, based in Cologne, was established in March 2019 and serves as Newline Group’s EEA insurance hub, providing specialized insurance products and sustainable solutions to the German-speaking market with a focus on local and individual customer support.
Prior to the establishment of Newline Europe, Newline opened a branch office of Newline Insurance Company Limited in Cologne in 2017 to give the German speaking market direct access to the specialized products and capabilities of Newline Group.
Prior to the establishment of Newline Europe, Newline opened a branch office of Newline Insurance Company Limited in Cologne in 2017 to give the German speaking market direct access to the specialized products and capabilities of Newline Group.
Maneul Wirtz
Chief Executive Officer
Nina Weitemeier
Executive Board Member
Robert Kaster
Head of Claims
Dirk Allerdissen
Executive Board Member
Markus Schäfer
Head of Underwriting
Board of Directors
Mike Wacek
Newline Chairman
Richard Coerver
Group Non-Executive Director
Bob Pollock
Chief Executive Officer
Neil Duncan
Chief Actuary and Chief Risk Officer
Sonny Kapur
Chief Financial Officer
Robert Kastner
Head of Claims
Andy Pecover
Chief Underwriting Officer and Active Underwriter
Henry Withinshaw
Chief Operating Officer and
Compliance Officer
Compliance Officer
Malcolm Beane
Independent Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair
Rosemary Beaver
Independent Non-Executive Director and Risk Committee Chair
Malcolm Newman
Independent Non-Executive Director