The Fidelis Partnership Names David Woods as Ireland CEO

Key Takeaways

• David Woods becomes Ireland CEO on July 1, 2026.
• Rob Kelly moves to Group Director of Finance, bolstering finance leadership.
• Dublin hub, shifted from Brussels Dec 2025, now EU market gateway.
• New hires: CUO Michelle Raine, CAO Marc MacGillivray, FP&A head Marshall Viegas.
• TFP targets Dublin as premier European specialty insurance hub.

Pulse Analysis

The Fidelis Partnership’s decision to move its primary European entity from Brussels to Dublin in December 2025 signals a deliberate bet on Ireland’s favorable regulatory framework and access to the EU single market. Dublin offers a tax‑efficient environment, a skilled actuarial talent pool, and a growing ecosystem of specialty insurers. By establishing the city as its European hub, TFP can underwrite cross‑border risks while maintaining a capital‑light risk allocation model that benefits both shareholders and policyholders.

David Woods, a decade‑long TFP veteran, will assume the Ireland CEO role on 1 July 2026, succeeding Rob Kelly, who transitions to Group Director of Finance. Woods’ background in portfolio and exposure management aligns with TFP’s data‑driven underwriting strategy, while Kelly’s move strengthens the group’s finance function at a time of rapid expansion. Complementary senior appointments—including Chief Underwriting Officer Michelle Raine, Chief Accounting Officer Marc MacGillivray, and FP&A head Marshall Viegas—provide the operational depth needed to scale the Dublin platform.

The leadership overhaul underscores TFP’s ambition to position Dublin as a premier European hub for specialty lines such as catastrophe and reinsurance. As insurers seek diversification away from traditional markets, Ireland’s pool of underwriting, actuarial and analytics talent becomes a competitive advantage. TFP’s growth in Dublin could attract additional capital, encouraging other global players to consider similar relocations. In the longer term, the move may accelerate Ireland’s evolution from a tax haven to a recognized center of insurance innovation and investment.