In this episode, Claude offers insight on how he used his negotiation skills to turn around Ambac Financial. He listened to what the other side wanted, and found a way for both sides to win. He also believes in the strength of teamwork. Finally, he advises us not to challenge him to a game of Othello!
Bio: Claude LeBlanc
Claude LeBlanc has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Ambac Assurance Corporation since January 1, 2017. In this role Claude is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight with regard to Ambac’s strategic priorities and vision with a view towards creating long-term shareholder value.
In 2018, Claude led Ambac through a holistic, transformational restructuring transaction that culminated in the exit of AAC's Segregated Account from rehabilitation and in 2020, materially advanced the Company's new business specialty program insurance platform with the establishment of the Everspan Group of companies and the acquisition of Xchange Affinity Underwriting Agency, LLC and Xchange Benefits, LLC.
Previously, Mr. LeBlanc was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer of Syncora Holdings Ltd., from 2010 until December 24, 2016. Mr. LeBlanc joined Syncora in 2006 as Executive Vice President and was responsible for all corporate development activities, strategic development, capital planning, and management of key bank and rating agency relationships.
Prior to joining Syncora, Mr. LeBlanc served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy and as a member of the executive management group for XL Capital Ltd. In this role, he led various global corporate development initiatives, oversaw and managed significant capital market transactions, and, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Staff, was responsible for global strategy development and capital management.
Prior to joining XL Capital in 2002, he served as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the executive management team for Transworld Network International, a North American telecommunications group where he led corporate development, financial planning, and certain business operations.
Mr. LeBlanc began his career in 1991 at PricewaterhouseCoopers and later served as Vice President of Financial Advisory Services in 1997 when he advised on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and transaction advisory.
Mr. LeBlanc holds a BA in Economics from York University, a BComm from the University of Windsor and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. He is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Public Accountant.
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Editor's Bio: Meg Green
Meg Green, our managing editor, is a former daily newspaper journalist who joined Insider Engage in 2021 after a storied 23-year career with AM Best. Since joining AM Best in 1998, she has covered nearly every facet of the insurance industry - and is still learning every day!
After two decades in print, Meg spent the last decade focusing on video story telling and enjoys speaking to the brightest minds in the industry about the opportunities ahead. Meg was thrilled to join the Insurance Insider family to take the helm of the newly launched Insider Engage - think of it as the multimedia Sunday magazine to the Insider's breaking news.
