Fusion Specialty (“Fusion”), the global boutique M&A and specialty insurance services group, today announces it has promoted Michael Federer to the role of CEO, Fusion Specialty North America, and Katherine Simmonds to the role of CEO, Fusion Specialty, International.
The appointments add additional bench strength to the executive team of the growth-stage business, which recently attracted investment from high-quality private equity partner Direct Capital Group.
Federer, who was previously managing partner, sales & distribution, M&A, is a seasoned insurance executive, with more than 18 years of combined experience as a corporate attorney focused on M&A deals, and as an M&A insurance underwriter. He received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School and his B.S.B.A. in Finance from The Ohio State University. In his new role, Federer will continue to drive Fusion’s buildout in North America of its M&A insurance product suite, including its world-first M&A Tech solution: Mio (M&A Insurance Online).
Simmonds joined Fusion Specialty in 2021 and, as managing partner, spearheaded the growth of the business in the M&A insurance markets across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. She previously held executive positions at global brokers, as well as at leading specialty insurers, for whom she pioneered the underwriting of M&A products in APAC, fostering strong connections in the London and international markets. In her new role, she will be responsible for further developing Fusion’s presence in the UK, APAC and EMEA regions, including M&A, Financial Lines and other specialist insurance products.
David Rogers, group co-CEO and co-Founder commented: “We are delighted with these promotions, and with Katie’s and Michael’s outstanding leadership of two very capable teams. Their ongoing contributions will be significant in realizing Fusion’s vision of pioneering the concept of MGA 3.0, combining a global infrastructure of licensed MGAs with local teams of experts. With tech at the core, we are empowering better underwriting, innovative products, partnership distribution and sustainable insurance.”
Killian McDermott, group co-CEO and co-Founder commented: “Fusion is accelerating the building of its global boutique M&A and specialty insurance services group. Katie and Michael, with their leading expertise and strong partnerships in the ecosystem, both enabled by applied data & tech capabilities, are ideally positioned to fill the M&A and specialty insurance risk protection gap in the global small to mid-market segments and to drive the digitisation of specialty insurance, globally.