Serenova Re has appointed industry executive Stelian Dragan (pictured above) as chief business development officer.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in global reinsurance and financial services to the Bermuda-based platform.
In the newly created role, Dragan will oversee business development strategy, with responsibility for advancing market partnerships and supporting Serenova Re’s expansion plans. He will work with the senior leadership team to identify new transaction opportunities and deepen relationships with existing counterparties.
Dragan most recently served as president and CEO of Oceanview Re (OvRe) in Bermuda. He initially joined OvRe as president and chief business development officer and also sat on the firm’s board and conflicts committee.
Read more: Bermuda re/insurance maintains momentum
During his tenure at OvRe, Dragan focused on building out the company’s operating model and reinsurance offering to support its positioning in the life and annuity space. The role covered both origination and ongoing management of reinsurance partnerships with insurers and asset managers.
Before Oceanview Re, Dragan spent close to a decade at Athene Life Re (Athene), where he led marketing and business development. At Athene, he played a key role in securing “landmark mandates with multibillion dollar reinsurance premiums,” helping to establish the business as a leader in the flow offshore reinsurance market.
His appointment comes as Bermuda continues to draw new re/insurance formations, with three new companies registered in August and the Bermuda Monetary Authority’s (BMA) Insurance Assessment and Licensing Committee reviewing eight applications that month, approving six.
The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) has reported a 10% year-over-year increase in 2024 gross written premium to more than $188 billion, placing executives like Dragan in a market where competition for mandates and counterparties is intensifying.
“I’m excited to step into this role and help drive Serenova Re’s next phase of growth,” Dragan said. He added that “the team has built a strong foundation and a clear strategic vision,” and said he looks forward to working with colleagues “to expand our capabilities and deliver meaningful, long-term value to our partners.”
Recent BMA data indicate that, although the pace of new registrations has moderated after a strong start to 2025, collateralized and restricted special-purpose reinsurers remain the most active categories, reinforcing Bermuda’s role in insurance-linked securities and alternative capital.
