1. Press Release 2017/14/02/Kenya Press Contact: sherry.kennedy@ati-aca.org +254 714 606 787
Jef Vincent, ATI’s Chief Underwriting Officer, retires
NAIROBI, 14 February, 2017 – Today, the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI)
announced the retirement of its Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO). During Mr. Vincent’s
five-year tenure as head of business, ATI outperformed expectations. He adeptly led the
team to achieve an average 185% increase in gross exposure, a 180% increase in
written premium and a 280% increase in ATI’s Net Underwriting profit moving the
company from a loss making institution to profitability.
These statistics underscore a vital transformation that was largely spearheaded by Mr.
Vincent – ATI has now developed a solid international reputation as an effective
provider of risk solutions for trade and investment transactions in Africa.
Mr. Vincent was also a pioneer of many projects including automating the underwriting
process, pushing for African central banks to offer capital relief to insured banks - which
was achieved in DR Congo and Zambia, securing €2 million in technical assistance
from the European Investment Bank and most notably, positioning ATI as a center of
excellence in not just African risk but also in the energy sector.
The energy sector initiative is a project that Mr. Vincent developed with strategic
partners including development finance institutions (DFIs), insurers and reinsurers that
are active in the field. The initiative is expected to roll out this year.
“Together with the Management team, Mr. Vincent laid out a vision for the company that
will guide ATI for many years to come, and this gives us great confidence about ATI’s
future success” noted the CEO, Mr. George Otieno.
Prior to Mr. Vincent’s retirement, the board of directors recruited Mr. John Lentaigne as
his successor. Mr. Lentaigne joined ATI in October 2016 working closely with Mr.
Vincent during this transition phase. Prior to joining ATI, Mr. Lentaigne served as the
Co-head of Political & Credit Risks at Brit in London.
“2017 presents great opportunities for ATI. A new strategic plan will be in place this
quarter, Côte d'Ivoire is soon completing its membership and we are almost fully Pan
African. ATI is confident that Mr. Lentaigne will ably lead the business to the next
frontier,” added Mr. Otieno.

2. Note to editors:
About The African Trade Insurance Agency
ATI was founded in 2001 by African States to cover the trade and investment risks of companies doing business in
Africa. ATI provides Political Risk, Surety Bonds, Trade Credit Insurance and Political Violence and Terrorism &
Sabotage cover. As of 2016, ATI had supported over US$25 billion in trade and investments across Africa in multiple
sectors. ATI is one of the most trusted institutions in Africa with an investment grade rating for Financial Strength and
Counterparty Credit by S&P Global Ratings
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www.ati-aca.org