Apollo Hires a Recall Veteran

Specialist insurer Apollo has named David Burke as class lead for its product recall portfolio, a move that deepens the firm's commitment to a line where expertise and broker relationships can make the difference. Burke, who joins from Hiscox where he led the product recall unit and became a partner in 2021, will shape underwriting strategy for a business that until now has been anchored in automotive recall.

Apollo, part of Skyward Group, described the hire as a direct investment in broadening its recall offering into new sectors. James Slaughter, Apollo's chief underwriting officer, said Burke's experience spanning complex recall risks would "enable us to expand into other profitable niches" beyond automotive. The appointment comes as Apollo also gains recognition in the 2026 London's Leading Underwriters Report, a gauge of broker sentiment that highlights the company's growing standing in the London market.

The product recall insurance market has seen steady demand growth as supply chains globalise and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, but successful underwriting depends on deep sector knowledge and claims handling capability — attributes Apollo clearly wants to centralise under Burke's leadership.

Why Burke's Move Reshapes the Niche Recall Market

The Business Case for Product Recall

Product recall cover protects manufacturers and distributors against the costs of removing defective or unsafe goods from the market, from notification expenses to business interruption. While automotive recall has long been the dominant sub-class, recent high-profile food, pharmaceutical and electrical goods recalls have widened interest in a line where underwriting discipline separates profitable portfolios from loss-making ones. Apollo's desire to diversify beyond automotive points to a genuine growth opportunity if it can replicate its broker-service reputation in those still-fragmented sectors.

What Burke Brings from Hiscox

David Burke spent a decade building Hiscox's recall franchise, turning it into a recognised player in the London market. Brokers who have worked with him describe a hands-on approach to risk analysis and a willingness to craft bespoke wordings for unusual exposures. His departure represents a loss of institutional knowledge for Hiscox, although the incumbent insurer is likely to have a strong bench. For Apollo, however, it is a one-step upgrade: Burke brings established broker contacts and a track record of expanding a book without diluting underwriting discipline — exactly what the company needs as it moves into recall classes where brand damage can be sudden and severe.

Competitive Dynamics

Apollo's ambition to extend its recall reach puts it in more direct competition with a handful of London market specialists, as well as larger composite insurers that write recall as part of a wider liability package. The hire suggests Apollo intends to compete on expertise and service rather than price, a model that rewards underwriters who can spot emerging recall triggers before they become industry-wide losses. Whether Burke can replicate his Hiscox momentum within the culture of a smaller, private-equity-backed platform will be the key test over the next 12–18 months.

How Brokers and Rivals Should Read Apollo's Play

For insurance professionals, Apollo's move signals a concrete change in the competitive landscape for product recall lines:

  • For brokers placing recall risks: Apollo now has a dedicated, experienced lead with a mandate to write non-automotive business. Sectors such as consumer electronics, food processing and medical devices should expect refreshed capacity and potentially more responsive underwriting from Apollo.
  • For Hiscox: Burke's exit is a talent drain in a niche where senior hires are scarce. The company may need to accelerate internal development or look externally to avoid a perception that its recall proposition is in transition.
  • For insurers monitoring the subsector: Apollo's push into broader recall lines, combined with its broker-recognition scores, could raise the bar on service and expertise expectations writ large, forcing competitors to invest similarly or cede ground.

Risk & Opportunity Assessment

Commercial RiskMediumExpanding a specialist underwriting line carries execution risk if new sectors produce claims frequency above expectations, but Apollo's existing automotive portfolio provides a buffer.
Competitive RiskMediumHiscox loses a key product recall underwriter, potentially creating a short-term gap; meanwhile other London market recall specialists face a strengthened rival.
Regulatory RiskLowProduct recall insurance is not directly subject to new regulatory headwinds; regulatory changes affecting the insured sectors could indirectly influence demand but no immediate threat.
Reputation RiskLowThe appointment is reputation-enhancing for Apollo; the main risk lies in failing to deliver on expansion promises, which would only materialise over the medium term.
Technology DisruptionLowProduct recall underwriting remains relationship- and expertise-driven; no disruptive technology directly threatens the niche in the near term.
Commercial OpportunityHighBroadening from automotive recall into food, pharma and consumer product recalls opens larger premium pools where broker appetite for specialist carriers is strong.