Stonybrook Capital hires Darren Bailey as CEO, International and Group MD

Stonybrook Capital, a specialist strategic advisory and investment banking firm focused exclusively on the insurance and reinsurance industry, has announced the hiring of Darren Bailey to lead efforts to grow the Stonybrook business internationally and also support the firm’s US domestic business.

Bailey was most recently employed at Roosevelt Road Capital Partners, working predominantly for its reinsurance firm Roosevelt Road Re as Director of ILS and Capital Markets.

Before that, Bailey worked at legacy and run-off specialist R&Q as its Head of Business Development for M&A Legacy transactions, having joined that firm in 2018 and departed around mid-2021.

Prior to that, Bailey had worked at specialist investment banking and insurance-linked securities (ILS) unit Aon Securities as Head of Capital Markets for Europe, before which he worked in the Aon Insurance Management team, leading ILS business development for the EMEA region.

Earlier in his career, Bailey also spent over three years working for insurer AIG, as a Senior Underwriter focused on alternative risk transfer and structured solutions.

As CEO of International and Group Managing Director for Stonybrook Capital, Bailey will be based in London and lead efforts to grow Stonybrook’s platform internationally, as well as support US domestic business.

Stonybrook notes that Bailey has a track-record of reporting to Board level at his previous firms, working across a range of activities from M&A capital raising and legacy transactions, to reinsurance and insurance-linked securities (ILS).

Bailey commented on his hiring, “Having worked with the best entrepreneurial minds in Reinsurance, ILS, MGAs/Programs and Capital Markets; the transition to Stonybrook is both timely and opportunistic.

“Joe and the team have built an exciting and dynamic platform of experienced practitioners across the US, Bermuda, and Europe. It is therefore a great opportunity to share knowledge and assist Stonybrook’s spectrum of (re)insurance and insurtech clients.

“With relentless consolidation in the advisory and broking sectors, Stonybrook will aim to stand out from the competition by addressing the capital and reinsurance challenges of its clients with bespoke solutions.

“Listening and responding with an energetic and innovative approach will certainly be welcome in this often challenging marketplace where many advisors are burdened with conflicts.”

Founder and Group CEO, Joseph Scheerer said, “I have always admired Darren’s tenacity to both triage opportunities and close transactions. Intense growth while protecting the balance sheet has been a key theme of his career and the same will apply to our plan for Stonybrook, and the clients we serve, internationally.

“In addition to hiring Darren, recent team hires from Citi and Cowen have also strengthened Stonybrook’s platform to develop our reach further into Europe, the Far East and LATAM. 2024 is shaping up to be a year of exponential growth for Stonybrook with our solid pipeline across both the Capital Markets, Alternatives and Risk Management pillars.

“Where many/most of the headlines note Wall Street downsizing, Stonybrook is only hiring more to serve its niche with the world’s best advice possible. I am flattered by Darren’s commitment to join our firm; the timing could not be any better as Stonybrook continues to build its book of business in the UK and beyond. Stonybrook is especially excited about the MGA market in the UK and Darren’s ambition to build upon our FAL (Funds At Lloyds) efforts with our own Chris Harman.”