Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers has rebranded London-based financial lines underwriter Leopanthera as Ryan Financial Lines and promoted three executives to lead the expanded business, effective Jan. 1.
The rebrand follows Ryan Specialty’s acquisition of Leopanthera through Innovisk Capital Partners in November 2024. The underwriter specialises in diversified financial lines on a worldwide basis and now operates from Ryan Specialty’s London office.
Established in 2017, the business trades with more than 50 Lloyd’s brokers in 105 countries, serving 1,200 insureds across 67 industries.
Liz Hanlon and Paul Russell, who co-founded Leopanthera, now serve as managing directors of the international arm. The pair bring more than 60 years of combined experience in financial lines underwriting and global specialty markets.
Patrick Mitchell has been appointed president of North America for Ryan Financial Lines as part of the recent changes. Mitchell was most recently chief operating officer and chief underwriting officer for the business and joined the managing general underwriter in 2024.
He was described as having more than 20 years of management and professional liability underwriting experience. In his new role, Mitchell will oversee US and Canadian operations for Ryan Financial Lines.
In addition, Rich Winborn has been named chief executive of international for Ryan Financial Lines. He joined Ryan Specialty in 2024 as part of its acquisition of Innovisk Capital Partners.
A former corporate lawyer, Winborn became an M&A underwriter in the financial lines division of a global insurer in 2010. In 2019, he partnered with Innovisk to launch Themis, which he ran for six years before joining Ryan Specialty. Winborn will oversee international operations for Ryan Financial Lines.
George Paraskeva has been appointed global managing director of cyber for Ryan Financial Lines. Paraskeva first joined Ryan Specialty through EmergIn Risk in August 2021, bringing experience in both cyber insurance and the wider cybersecurity industry.
“The rebrand to Ryan Financial Lines marks an exciting milestone in our international growth strategy,” Winborn said. “Liz and Paul have built an exceptional business with a global footprint and a reputation for excellence. We are proud to integrate their team into the Ryan Financial Lines family. This expansion broadens our global footprint and strengthens our ability to deliver bespoke, best-in-class coverage for complex financial risks across diverse markets.”
