Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has advised Helios Investment Partners (“Helios”) in its launch of Africa Specialty Risk Group (“ASR”), a reinsurance business.

ASR has been launched in partnership with Mikir Shah, former CEO of AXA Africa Specialty Risks, and Bryan Howett, former CEO of Old Mutual’s pan-African reinsurance operations.

ASR will create tailored solutions for local and global customers, using Africa-specific pricing models coupled with a deep understanding of African risk and cultural environments. 

The investment in ASR is being made from Helios’ latest fund, Helios Investors IV, L.P., whose investors include CDC Group (the UK’s development finance institution) and the International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group). 

Established in 2004, Helios Investment Partners is the world’s largest Africa-focused private investment firm.

For more information, see the press release.

Debevoise has previously advised Helios in a number of key projects, including in the formation of a joint-venture with GBfoods, which created one of Africa's largest FMCG groups.

The Debevoise team advising Helios in the launch of ASR was led by partner Geoffrey Burgess, and included international consultant Clare Swirski and associate Dominic Blaxill.