Samsung Fire ups Canopius stake to 40% in global push
The Korean general insurer said Wednesday it will acquire an additional 21.17 percent stake in Fortuna Topco, the holding company that owns 100 percent of Canopius. A Samsung Fire official noted the stake effectively translates to a direct holding in Canopius, which specializes in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance.
The shares are being acquired from a Centerbridge-led consortium, which will retain a 60 percent controlling stake after the transaction. Pending regulatory approvals in both countries, the deal is expected to close by the end of September.
This marks Samsung Fire's third investment in Canopius, following a combined $300 million in stakes acquired in 2019 and 2020.
Samsung Fire's latest move further solidifies its position as the second-largest shareholder and establishes its role as a co-operator of Canopius alongside the Centerbridge-led consortium.
Canopius has posted steady growth in recent years, reporting $3.53 billion in gross written premiums in 2024 and ranking among the top five at Lloyd's, one of the world's largest specialty and reinsurance marketplaces. It operates underwriting platforms in Bermuda, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, the US and Lloyd's China.
Samsung Fire said its partnership with Canopius has also delivered tangible benefits, including around 300 billion won ($221 million) in reinsurance revenue and 88 billion won in equity-method gains in 2024. With its expanded stake, the company plans to step up its board involvement and decision-making role to further strengthen its global footprint.
'This deal goes beyond a simple stake investment — it marks a strategic milestone for joint management and value creation in the global market,' said Samsung Fire & Marine CEO Lee Mun-hwa. 'We will continue to move beyond Korea's insurance market through bold global expansion and innovation, aiming to become a leading international insurer.'
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