Starr Appoints Insurance Veteran Duncan Ellis as EVP of Client Engagement

Quick Summary

Starr has appointed Duncan Ellis as Executive Vice President of Client Engagement to lead global relationship efforts. Ellis, an industry veteran with 30 years of experience at Marsh and AIG, will focus on Starr Insurance client engagement strategies to deepen partnerships and leverage the firm’s diverse specialty insurance capabilities worldwide.

How will Duncan Ellis enhance Starr Insurance client engagement?

Duncan Ellis joins Starr to spearhead a unified approach to relationship management across the organization's global footprint. Reporting directly to Steve Blakey, President and CEO of Starr Insurance Holdings, Ellis is tasked with deepening client partnerships and ensuring that the full breadth of Starr’s business lines is accessible to its partners. His role is central to the firm's strategy of leveraging global capabilities to meet complex risk requirements.

• Strategic relationship management across six continents.
• Integration of specialty coverages including aviation, marine, and energy.
• Enhanced broker collaboration to streamline client service delivery.

“Duncan has spent his career building trusted relationships across the insurance industry,” said Blakey. “He understands what clients and brokers need, and that perspective will be invaluable as we deepen relationships across Starr.”

What insurance industry expertise does Duncan Ellis bring to Starr?

With over three decades of experience, Ellis is a recognized leader in property insurance, broking, and underwriting. His career is defined by senior leadership roles at some of the world's largest insurance entities, providing him with a comprehensive market perspective that aligns with Starr's growth objectives. By focusing on Starr Insurance client engagement, Ellis will apply his background in retail distribution and industry-specific practice leadership to drive value.

• Former Managing Director at Marsh for U.S. and Canada real estate.
• Ex-Head of Distribution for North America at AIG.
• Deep property expertise spanning thirty years of market cycles.

“Starr has built its reputation by knowing its clients and delivering when it matters,” said Ellis. “I’m excited to build on that foundation and strengthen our partnerships in every corner of the market Starr touches.”

What are the strategic goals for Starr’s global insurance operations?

Starr continues to position itself as a leading global insurer with a presence in key markets including the U.S., U.K., China, and Singapore. The firm maintains an A.M. Best A rating, reflecting its financial strength and operational stability. The addition of Ellis is a move to solidify market share in specialty lines such as excess casualty and energy insurance by improving client retention and acquisition through high-level engagement.

FF NEWS TAKE:

The appointment of Duncan Ellis is a clear signal that Starr is prioritizing Starr Insurance client engagement as a primary growth lever. In a hardening market where relationship-driven business is paramount, poaching a veteran from Marsh and AIG provides Starr with immediate institutional credibility and a vast network. This move moves the needle by shifting the focus from pure underwriting to a more sophisticated, client-centric distribution model that leverages their global A-rated paper.