Walnut Creek, Calif., 28 February 2015 – Following Cayman legislation being brought into force on 16 January 2015 to allow Cayman SPC insurers to form portfolio insurance companies (PICs) – the Cayman model for incorporated cell companies – the first Cayman PIC has been incorporated. AARIS Insurance Company, Ltd., SPC, established by California-headquartered, Ascension Insurance Services, Inc, has established AGG 1 PIC to allow a portfolio of California Agri-business clients to participate as a group in a risk transfer mechanism for their Workers Compensation coverages.  Ascension were assisted by Willis Management (Cayman), Ltd, Cayman law firm, Solomon Harris, and U.S. law firm, McDermott Will & Emery.

“We’re thrilled to have the honor of being the first to establish a Cayman PIC through AARIS,” said Joe Tatum, Ascension Insurance Services, Inc. President and CEO.  “The formation of AARIS creates unique and unprecedented opportunities for us as an insurance brokerage to provide even greater service through alternative risk management solutions, to both our existing and new clients. As we continue our expansion, PICs are a groundbreaking offering that will be an immense value-add, not just to our Agri-business partners, but to all the clients across multiple industries we do business with, now, and into the future.

Stephen Gray, Managing Director of Willis Management (Cayman), Ltd commented, “We have always been a strong supporter of PICs and are delighted to have been involved in forming the very first one. A PIC provides the ideal solution for Ascension’s business objectives”.

Paul Scrivener, Partner and Head of the Insurance Group at Solomon Harris added, “It is really encouraging to see the first PIC formed within a week of the PIC legislation coming into force. Having been very closely involved in the development of the legislation and spoken about it with many industry participants, I was confident that there was a real business need for it. Hopefully, this will be the first PIC of many!”

For further information contact:-
Stephen Gray (+1 345 815 0501, [email protected])
Paul Scrivener (+1 345 949 0488, [email protected])
Paul Tamburri (925 407 0401, [email protected])