Rio de Janeiro, 10 May 2013IO DE JANEIRO, 10 May 2013 - In May, Cooper Gay, one of the world’s foremost reinsurance brokers, will complete 10 years working in the Brazilian market.  “During this period, we have achieved a very successful, solid trajectory, operating in an innovative way and establishing long-standing relationships with our clients, colleagues, and partners,” affirms Fabio Basilone, the company’s CEO.

According to Mr. Basilone, by thinking about reinsurance in a different way, Cooper Gay shortened its path to becoming one of the biggest reinsurance brokers in Brazil.

He adds that, in the face of the challenges presented by a constantly changing market, Cooper Gay chose to hold fast to its philosophy of innovation in its never-ending search for agility in information with transparency and in agreement with the law.  “This is the big difference with Cooper Gay, our identity,” the executive adds.

In April, Cooper Gay announced that it had reformulated its structure in Brazil seeking even greater improvement in the quality of the services that it offers to its clients.  Mr. Basilone took on the role of leading treaties placement. Beyond this, the Executive Director of the broker, Fernando Prado, will lead the placement of facultative reinsurance and will continue to manage the back-office areas.

According to Mr. Prado, one of the goals for the year is to apply technology to control the reinsurance process as much as possible, always thinking about their clients’ peace of mind.  “We base our services on three pillars: transparency, information, and efficiency, and we stay a step ahead of the market by controlling all of our processes with systems that supply information to our managers and clients,” he points out.

Logo: In honor of its 10th anniversary, Cooper Gay released its commemorative logo, featuring the colors and format of the Brazilian flag.

In this year, it is also launching a social-action program in partnership with the Instituto da Criança (“Children’s Institute” in Portuguese) the objective of which is to develop a culture of volunteerism among its collaborators and transform the group itself into a catalyst for social transformation.

Support for social causes will be followed by other important actions throughout the business year, including launching an environmental initiative in the second half of the year.

Also in the second half of the year, Cooper Gay will launch a new version of eCOG Web, reinsurer business management system.  The new version will feature new layout and innovative functions.

28 February 2013 – Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Limited (“CGSC”) has announced the appointment of Shaun Hooper as President and CEO of its wholesale, reinsurance broking and underwriting operations in North America.

Hooper joined CGSC in July 2009 as Head of Group Operations and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cooper Gay, CGSC's Lloyd's and London market broker, in early 2011. In April 2012, he assumed a wider role within CGSC and led the commercial development of its global operations. Hooper replaces Neal Abernathy who has left the business to pursue other opportunities.

London, 16 January 2013 – Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Limited (“CGSC”) has announced the closing of its investment agreement with Lightyear Capital LLC ("Lightyear"), under which an affiliated investment fund of the New York-based private equity firm along with institutional co-investors will take a controlling interest in CGSC following the previously announced signing of a definitive agreement on 22 October 2012.

The investment will provide CGSC with the ability to continue its growth by acquisition of high quality businesses and teams which will further enhance CGSC’s leading position in the wholesale and reinsurance markets. CGSC has a strong pipeline of acquisition opportunities which will be developed further over the coming year.

Toby Esser, Group Chief Executive Officer said: "Together with Lightyear’s financial services expertise, we are confident that our excellent people and global platform strongly position CGSC to take advantage of the many opportunities available in the global insurance market."

"We are excited by the long-term growth opportunities in the global insurance brokerage industry," said Donald B. Marron, Chairman of Lightyear.

"Toby Esser has done a wonderful job leading this business, and we look forward to working with him and management to accomplish his ambitions for CGSC in the future," said Mark F. Vassallo, Managing Partner of Lightyear.