CHICAGO, June 10, 2019 – Aon Securities, the investment banking division of leading global professional services firm Aon plc (NYSE:AON), today announces two new strategic hires who will drive growth and innovation within its capital markets function.

Michael Popkin and Rick Miller join Aon Securities from JLT Capital Markets, where they were co-heads of the unit.

Mr. Popkin spent nearly eight years co-leading the capital markets businesses at JLT and Towers Watson, where he and Mr. Miller pioneered the development of private placement catastrophe bonds.  Previously, Mr. Popkin worked in investment banking and energy. He also has buy-side experience as a portfolio manager in structured credit, as well as significant international experience, having worked in the US, Europe, and Asia.  

Mr. Miller was co-head of the capital markets business at JLT and its predecessors, Towers Watson and Towers Perrin, for nearly 10 years.  He launched and developed the capital markets desk, and, with Mr. Popkin developed the private placement technology for the insurance linked securities (ILS) markets.  His experience within the ILS community originated at Swiss Re Capital Markets, where he played an instrumental role in facilitating secondary market liquidity in broken distressed catastrophe bond positions after the 2008 financial crisis. 

Mr. Miller and Mr. Popkin start their new roles with immediate effect, reporting to Chief Executive Officer of Aon Securities, Paul Schultz.

Paul Schultz said: “The insurance-linked securities sector continues to be an incredibly dynamic environment, characterized by continued growth in alternative capital and investors and sponsors that are willing to look at new ways to match risk and capital. We welcome Mike & Rick to the team as we work together to drive innovation across geographies and perils in the ILS space in order to ensure its continued growth.”

Further information

Reinsurance Solutions PR team: Andrew Wragg (+44 207 522 8183/07595 217168) David Bogg, Alexandra Lewis

Follow Aon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aon_plc

For information on Aon plc. and to sign-up for news alerts: http://aon.mediaroom.com         

About Aon Securities

Aon Securities LLC and Aon Securities Limited (collectively, “Aon Securities”) provide insurance and reinsurance clients with a full suite of insurance-linked securities products, including catastrophe bonds, contingent capital, sidecars, collateralized reinsurance, industry loss warranties, and derivative products.

As one of the most experienced investment banking firms in this market, Aon Securities offers expert underwriting and placement of new debt and equity issues, financial and strategic advisory services, as well as a leading secondary trading desk. Aon Securities’ integration with Aon’s Reinsurance Solutions business expands its capability to provide distinctive analytics, modeling, rating agency, and other consultative services.

Aon Benfield Inc., Aon Securities LLC and Aon Securities Limited are all wholly-owned subsidiaries of Aon plc. Securities. Advice, products and services described within this report are offered solely through Aon Securities LLC and/or Aon Securities Limited.