Vivace Insurance Partners, an independent managing general agent (MGA) and part of the +8 Partners insurance business ecosystem, has appointed Cordell Fenig as Chief Executive Officer of its Americas operation.
Fenig has moved into the leadership position after more than two years with Vivace, having joined the business as a senior underwriter ahead of its Americas launch in March 2024. In his new role, he will be responsible for advancing Vivace’s growth plans in the region, including strengthening its carrier relationships and developing its market presence.
A key part of Vivace’s strategy is to increase its carrier support through Markel, a prominent carrier in the London market. The company is also working towards securing Lloyd’s coverholder status.
Vivace said the status would allow it to operate with greater delegated authority, increase its access to the Lloyd’s market and provide brokers with a more efficient route for placing complex risks.
“Cordell’s promotion to CEO is a reflection of his success and underscores the confidence we have in his understanding of this market and his commitment to Vivace’s mission,” commented Philip Bilney, Founder and Chief Executive of +8 Partners. “With the ocean marine sector evolving and the trucking insurance market hardening, the timing is right to accelerate our strategy. Cordell is the right person to lead this company forward.”
Vivace’s leadership change comes against a changing backdrop for logistics insurance. According to Fenig, the sector has been affected by the Montgomery case, while cargo rates have softened as new underwriting capacity has entered the market. Vivace sees these developments as presenting potential opportunities for the business as it seeks to establish a stronger position within the sector.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to lead Vivace,” added Fenig. “We have the platform, the carrier relationships, and the market insight to serve our clients in ways that less specialised insurers simply cannot. I look forward to building on our successes and growing the team to meet the demands of this evolving industry.”
Fenig has experience across underwriting and account management within the insurance sector. Before joining Vivace, he held a series of underwriting and account management positions with Roanoke Insurance Group, where his work covered marine, cargo, legal liabilities and logistics insurance.
His previous roles also included responsibility for new business development, underwriting and client relationships, with a particular focus on the North American logistics market. Vivace said this experience will support Fenig as he takes responsibility for the company’s next phase of development in the Americas.
Technology is another part of Vivace’s operating model. The company’s proprietary MGA platform, Vivacity, has been developed to bring together underwriting, accounting, client engagement and AI-enabled reporting functions. The platform was built using experience gained from working with clients across the global logistics sector.
Vivacity is intended to give brokers a more efficient process for obtaining quotations and managing policies, supporting Vivace’s broader focus on specialist insurance solutions for the logistics market.
