Conduit Re names Aspen veteran Mark Pickering CFO

Conduit Re has named Mark Pickering as its next chief financial officer, Reinsurance News reports. Pickering, who spent 11 years at Aspen Insurance Holdings, will take the post and an executive-director seat on the Conduit Holdings board when the appointment becomes effective November 30, 2026.

At Aspen, Pickering's most recent title was group CFO and treasurer. Before that he led the company's Bermuda operations as CEO, and earlier he served as group chief capital management officer. Reinsurance News says he played a key role in Aspen's 2025 New York Stock Exchange listing and in the company's acquisition by Sompo, which closed earlier this year.

The CFO job at Conduit carries capital management, financial reporting and oversight of the investment portfolio, along with a hand in strategy. The role puts a former group chief capital management officer back in charge of capital management.

Elaine Whelan, the outgoing CFO, told Conduit's board in the third quarter that she planned to retire. Chief executive Neil Eckert credited her with guiding the company through its formative years, establishing its financial and operational foundations, and called her a trusted colleague and valuable partner to the board and executive team. Pickering said he was drawn to Conduit's market reputation and eager to contribute to the company's growth.

Before Aspen, Pickering held senior positions at Platinum Underwriters and Marsh McLennan. Reinsurance News puts his industry experience at almost 25 years.

At a Bermuda reinsurer, the balance sheet is the product. Conduit has chosen a finance chief whose career has centered on managing it.