Lagarde Selects New Director For African Department
Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, this fall announced the appointment of Abebe Aemro Selassie as Director of the IMF’s African Department. Mr. Selassie succeeds Antoinette Sayeh whose departure was previously announced.
“Abe brings a profound understanding of the challenges facing Africa, having worked closely with policymakers from across the region for much of his career, Laragede said. “His proven ability to provide intellectual leadership, track record of building collaborative relationships, analytical depth, and warm collegiality make him ideally placed to lead the IMF’s work with our membership in sub-Saharan Africa. Having had the opportunity to work with Abe over the last five years, I have been struck by his sound judgement, integrity, and commitment to teamwork.”
During his time in the IMF’s African Department, Selassie was a senior resident representative in Uganda and served as mission chief for South Africa. He has led work on the Regional Economic Outlook and worked in various roles on countries ranging from Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. Most recently, Mr. Selassie oversaw the IMF’s effort to assist countries hit by the Ebola epidemic.
Mr. Selassie also brings extensive operational and policy experience from his assignments in other IMF departments, including the Strategy, Policy and Review Department and the European Department. He worked on Turkey and Poland affairs between 1999 and 2003, and was Assistant Director and mission chief for Portugal during the Eurozone crisis. He holds a B.A. in economics from City of London Polytechnic and a Masters in economic history from London School of Economics (LSE).
“The IMF remains deeply committed to serving our members in Africa. Abe will bring a unique blend of extensive knowledge and experience to his new position as Director of the African Department,” Lagarde said.
Moody’s Appoints Managing Director
Moody’s Investor Service (MIS) this month has named Doug Segars Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) – Infrastructure Finance. The appointment was made with immediate effect on October 11th. Segars will also become a member of the company’s EMEA Global Infrastructure Finance management team, the company said in a statement.
“Doug is a proven manager with extensive market knowledge and relationships,” Walt Winrow, global managing director for the Infrastructure Finance group with Moody‘s said. “His 30 year career, with a focus on the infrastructure sector has seen Doug gain wide-ranging experience in management, credit and origination roles making him an excellent choice,”
Segars will lead the Infrastructure Finance ratings and research franchise within the EMEA region, where until recently he was an Associate Managing Director for Project Finance. His new role will include responsibility for utilities, infrastructure corporates and project financing. Segars began his career with American Express and Chase Manhattan Bank.
Argo Group Subsidiary Names SVP
Argo Pro, a member of NASDAQ-listed Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd., an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products, this month appointed Richard Edsall to the role senior vice president, commercial management liability. Edsall will report directly to Craig Landi, current president of Argo Pro.
“Richard is a recognized industry expert in directors and officers liability with strong strategic and technical skills,” Landi said in a released statement. “His previous experience and exceptional risk assessment skills have demonstrated a proven ability to avert losses and create corporate strategies that drive profit and growth.”
In his new role, Edsall will be tasked with growing the nationwide commercial management liability book of business, managing the commercial brokerage relationships for management liability and growing the cyber and privacy business lines with Argo’s management liability clients globally.
With more than 29 years of underwriting experience, Edsall joins Argo Group from Chubb & Son where he served as vice president, Worldwide Directors and Officers Liability Product Manager; Financial Institutions and Deputy U.S. Commercial Directors and Officers Products. Edsall also served as vice president, insurance industry product manager at Chubb & Son. Prior to joining Chubb & Son he was a senior vice president and chief underwriting officer at Global Specialty Risk.
