Vantage Group Holdings Ltd today has launched a new line of business, facultative reinsurance, and Lisa Pickard has joined the company as president of the division.

Vantage said the expansion marks a key milestone in company strategy to scale its specialty insurance and reinsurance lines following its June 2026 acquisition by Howard Hughes Holdings, Inc.

In her new role, Ms Pickard will report directly to Greg Hendrick, chief executive officer of Vantage, and oversee the division’s strategic direction, risk appetite, team recruitment and broker-partner relationships.

Ms Pickard has decades of senior underwriting and operational leadership in the property facultative sector, with experience building teams and businesses and a focus on underwriting expertise, leadership and strategy.

Her career began at Gen Re before pivotal years at Arch Re facultative, where she led underwriting teams, shaped portfolio strategy and developed market-leading underwriting teams.

She was Arch Re’s first chief strategy officer, driving growth and corporate strategy on the executive leadership committee.

Ms Pickard founded Atlas Gray, an advisory firm that helps insurance organisations with underwriting strategy, portfolio construction, operating models and leadership development.

Marc Grandisson, executive chairman of Vantage said: “Lisa brings rare depth as both an underwriting leader and strategist. Her track record of building high-calibre teams and scaling disciplined portfolios reflects the exact rigour we need as we establish our facultative line and drive Vantage’s next phase of growth.”

Ms Pickard commented: “Vantage has built a dynamic business that delivers tailored, data-driven solutions to clients. I look forward to assembling a world-class team and partnering closely with our client community to provide disciplined, tailored facultative solutions that respond directly to complex risk environments while advancing Vantage’s commitment to excellence and innovation.”

Vantage said Ms Pickard's view of how the best insurance businesses operate includes strong technical fundamentals, disciplined underwriting judgement, clear accountability and a culture where talented people can make sound decisions.