Hayden Smith serves as Chief Executive Officer for United Risk, overseeing the firm’s non-U.S. operations across seven MGAs, generating more than $600 million in annual premium. Since joining United Risk in 2023, he has led the development and strategic growth of the company’s international businesses, driving corporate development, governance, regulatory compliance, finance, and operational performance across multiple jurisdictions.

Prior to joining United Risk, Hayden was Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions at Enstar Group, managing complex legacy transactions and capital-relief initiatives across Lloyd’s and U.S. markets. Earlier, he served as Head of Ceded Reinsurance for StarStone, a global specialty carrier jointly owned by Enstar and Stone Point Capital, where he directed global reinsurance strategy, capital modeling, and risk alignment across specialty insurance portfolios.

Hayden began his career in treaty reinsurance at JLT Re, focusing on North American property and casualty programs and U.S. workers’ compensation. This early experience across broking, underwriting, and capital management gave him a multidimensional understanding of the insurance industry that continues to inform his leadership today.

Before entering insurance, Hayden had a successful professional sporting career in both rugby and American football. He played for Saracens Rugby Club in the English Premiership, earning European and domestic titles, and later became the first Australian to record an NFL reception as a tight end for the New York Jets. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Rick Christofer serves as Chief Commercial Officer for United Risk, leading the firm’s commercial strategy, business development, and underwriting initiatives across its global operations. In this role, he drives growth, strengthens client relationships, and implements innovative solutions that enhance the company’s competitive positioning in the Property & Casualty market.

Since joining United Risk, Rick has held a series of senior leadership roles, including President, Managing Partner, and Chief Underwriting Officer. He brings over two decades of experience across specialty product development, treaty reinsurance broking, facultative underwriting, and commercial insurance, including leadership positions at American International Group, General Re Corporation, and Guy Carpenter & Co. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and consistently delivering creative, results-driven solutions.

Rick began his career in commercial insurance underwriting at The Hartford Insurance Company, gaining foundational experience in both client-facing and technical underwriting roles. This early exposure shaped his collaborative approach to leadership and his ability to bridge technical expertise with business strategy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, where he competed on a four-year varsity soccer scholarship.