By Globalfinserve Business Desk
March 2025
Aquarian Holdings, a leading insurance and asset management firm, has announced the formation of Aquarian Insurance Holdings, a new division aimed at enhancing growth and synergies across its reinsurance and retail insurance businesses.
The move is part of Aquarian’s broader strategy to streamline operations, improve efficiencies, and leverage technological capabilities across its insurance portfolio. The newly formed Aquarian Insurance Holdings will oversee Somerset Reinsurance, Investors Heritage, and Hudson Life, with Via Management Solutions providing shared services and tech support.
Strategic Move to Strengthen Aquarian’s Insurance Portfolio
The formation of Aquarian Insurance Holdings marks a significant step in the company’s growth trajectory. Since its inception in 2017, Aquarian Holdings has rapidly expanded its asset management portfolio to nearly $22 billion, while building robust capabilities across the life insurance value chain.
By consolidating its insurance subsidiaries under one umbrella, the company aims to:
- Enhance operational efficiencies through shared services.
- Leverage technology to streamline processes and improve customer experience.
- Drive synergies between reinsurance and retail insurance arms.
- Expand its market presence and fuel continued business growth.
“We see opportunity within the insurance sector, and Aquarian Insurance Holdings is the next evolution of our portfolio,” said Rudy Sahay, Founder and Managing Partner at Aquarian Holdings.
“We will be able to leverage best practices and shared services across the organisation, specifically the technology expertise and leadership within our Investors Heritage business. All of which position us for continued growth and expansion.”
The New Structure: Companies Under Aquarian Insurance Holdings
The newly formed Aquarian Insurance Holdings will oversee three key insurance entities:
✅ Somerset Reinsurance
- Based in Bermuda, Somerset Re focuses on capital-efficient reinsurance solutions for life and annuity insurers.
- Aquarian Holdings acquired Somerset Re in January 2023, marking a strategic expansion into the reinsurance market.
- The unit is expected to play a key role in Aquarian Insurance Holdings’ growth strategy by offering customized reinsurance solutions.
✅ Investors Heritage
- A US-based life and annuity insurer, Investors Heritage was established in 1960.
- It became part of Aquarian Holdings in 2018, strengthening the company’s retail insurance presence.
- The firm offers retirement-focused insurance products, such as fixed annuities and life insurance policies.
- Investors Heritage’s tech-driven underwriting expertise will be a cornerstone of the new division’s efficiency push.
✅ Hudson Life
- Acquired and rebranded by Aquarian Holdings in 2022, Hudson Life specializes in insurance policies within New York State.
- The company is positioned to expand its product offerings and strengthen Aquarian’s retail insurance footprint.
- Through Aquarian Insurance Holdings, Hudson Life will benefit from shared services and technology support.
✅ Via Management Solutions
- Via will serve as the technology and shared services provider for Aquarian Insurance Holdings.
- The third-party administrator (TPA) utilizes tech expertise developed through Investors Heritage.
- Via will offer back-office support, technology integration, and operational efficiencies across the entire Aquarian Insurance Holdings portfolio.
Leadership Structure: Experienced Co-CEOs at the Helm
The new division will be led by two experienced insurance industry leaders:
- John Frye, Operating Partner at Aquarian Holdings and President of Investors Heritage, will serve as Co-CEO.
- Jeff Burt, former Chairman and CEO of Somerset Re, will also serve as Co-CEO of Aquarian Insurance Holdings.
Background on the Co-CEOs:
- John Frye previously held senior leadership positions at Advisors Excel, Security Benefit, and General Electric.
- Jeff Burt brings extensive expertise in structured reinsurance and previously served as President of Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America, where he led over 100 structured reinsurance transactions.
The dual leadership structure is expected to drive strategic growth initiatives and oversee seamless integration across the new division.
Aquarian Holdings’ Growth Trajectory
Founded in 2017, Aquarian Holdings has rapidly expanded into a leading insurance and asset management firm.
Key milestones:
- 2018: Acquired Investors Heritage, strengthening its life insurance and annuity business.
- 2022: Acquired and rebranded Hudson Life, entering the New York insurance market.
- 2023: Acquired Somerset Reinsurance, expanding its reinsurance capabilities.
- 2025: Launched Aquarian Insurance Holdings, consolidating its insurance portfolio into a streamlined entity.
Market Implications: What It Means for the Insurance Industry
The formation of Aquarian Insurance Holdings is expected to have several industry-wide impacts:
- Enhanced competition:
- The combined capabilities of reinsurance and retail insurance under a single entity strengthen Aquarian’s market position.
- This could intensify competition in the reinsurance and annuities sector.
- Improved operational efficiency:
- The shared services model with Via Management Solutions will drive cost savings and efficiency improvements.
- This could lead to more competitive pricing for policyholders.
- Tech-driven insurance solutions:
- By leveraging Investors Heritage’s tech expertise, Aquarian Insurance Holdings is expected to enhance digital capabilities.
- This may result in faster underwriting processes and improved customer experiences.
- Potential for expansion:
- With $22 billion in assets under management (AUM), Aquarian Insurance Holdings is positioned for further acquisitions.
- The company may target additional insurance carriers to expand its footprint.
Key Takeaways
- Aquarian Holdings has launched Aquarian Insurance Holdings to streamline its reinsurance and retail insurance businesses.
- The new entity will include Somerset Re, Investors Heritage, and Hudson Life, with Via Management Solutions providing shared services.
- John Frye and Jeff Burt will serve as Co-CEOs, leveraging their combined expertise to drive growth.
- The move is part of Aquarian’s broader strategy to expand its market share and enhance operational efficiency.
- The partnership is expected to increase competition, drive cost efficiencies, and offer more competitive insurance products.
Conclusion
The formation of Aquarian Insurance Holdings marks a pivotal moment for Aquarian Holdings, creating a streamlined and growth-focused insurance powerhouse. By combining its reinsurance and retail insurance operations, Aquarian aims to drive synergies, improve efficiency, and expand its market presence.
With seasoned leadership, a strong asset base, and tech-driven capabilities, Aquarian Insurance Holdings is well-positioned for sustained growth and continued expansion in the insurance sector.
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