Charles G.R. Collis

Experience Highlights

• Acted as Bermuda deal counsel in the sale of the Arden group’s Lloyd’s underwriting platform, Atrium Underwriting Group Ltd., and their Bermuda reinsurance operations, Arden Reinsurance Company Ltd., to the Enstar group. Also acted for Enstar in establishing the joint venture vehicle used to effect the acquisition with its joint venture partners.
• Acted as Bermuda Counsel to Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited in the acquisition of Bermuda incorporated, NYSE listed American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. through a Bermuda incorporated merger company, followed by the sale of various Bermuda subsidiaries to a third party.
• Advised on the formation, licensing and listing on the Bermuda Stock Exchange of a new cat bond special purpose insurer vehicle sponsored by Zurich Insurance Co. Ltd. and Zurich American Insurance (as cedants) and arranged by Munich Re Capital Markets and Swiss Re Capital Markets. Instructions also involved the formation of a Bermuda purpose trust as the shareholder of Lakeside and matters related thereto.
• Advised on the establishment of VenTerra Re Ltd., established as a Special Purpose Insurer for the purpose of facilitating a program of "cat bond" transactions with QBE Insurance Group Limited and its affiliates. Notes in the amount of USD$250 million were listed on the BSX. VenTerra Re was notable for being the first cat bond to cover Australian catastrophe risk.
• Advised on the formation of Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“Third Point Re” or the “Company”), a Bermuda based, specialty property and casualty reinsurer. Since its inception, the Group has raised over $785 million in capital. The establishment of the Bermuda-domiciled Group is a strong indicator of the market’s continued confidence in Bermuda as a world-class insurance jurisdiction.

Education

• University College, London UK, LLB, 1988
• University of Toronto, B.A. (Hons), 1984

Bar Admissions

• British Virgin Islands, 2011
• Bermuda, 1991
• England & Wales, Barrister, 1989 (not currently practising)

Awards & Accolades

• Recognised in the 2020 edition (since 2018 and 2011) of Legal 500 Caribbean (insurance)
• Recognised in the 2019 edition of Chambers Global (insurance)
• Recognised in the 2017 edition of Legal 500 Caribbean (corporate and commercial)
• Recognised in the 2016 edition (and since 2011) of Chambers Global (corporate and insurance)
• Recognised in the 2016 edition (and since 2013) of Legal 500 (offshore law)
• Recognised in the 2015 edition of Legal Media Groups' Expert Guides (insurance and reinsurance)

Associations

• Former Director, Bermuda Monetary Authority
• Member, Insurance Advisory Committee

Corporate Digest: Notable Deals and Transactions - Spring 2019

Global IPO Report – July 2018

2017 Global Corporate Year in Review, January 2018

Bermuda Insurance Update – 2016 Year in Review, March 2017

Bermuda Securitisations Bulletin, September 2017

Bermuda Corporate Practice Group 2016 Year in Review, January 2017

Bermuda Insurance Update – July 2016