ASCOT LAUNCHES MGA CELL UNDER ETHOS PLATFORM

London-based Ascot Group has announced the creation of Vertical Underwriting Managers, its first specialty managing general agency (MGA) cell under its Ethos Specialty Insurance Services MGA platform. Vertical will underwrite both standard and specialty property/casualty lines as well as target under-served market segments, Ascot said in a statement. Joe Calise joins from Guy Carpenter to serve as chief executive officer of Vertical. In addition to Calise, Ascot said that Adam Schell joins from WKFC Underwriting Managers as chief casualty officer and John Casella joins from Chubb as senior vice president.