Insurers want greater alignment with their reinsurers: Nationwide and Ryan Re

Reinsurance News spoke with Russ Johnston, President of Nationwide Commercial, E&S and Specialty (‪@nationwide‬), and Emil Issavi, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ryan Re, around the time of the 2026 Monte Carlo reinsurance industry event. As the reinsurance market transitions from a period of relative stability, market stakeholders are looking for greater alignment, an approach which has made Nationwide and Ryan Re’s partnership so successful over the past seven years, according to Russ Johnston and Emil Issavi. Over the past seven years, Nationwide and Ryan Re have built and grown a significant partnership, and that relationship has continued to evolve with the reinsurance market. During the interview, Johnston and Issavi explored current reinsurance market conditions, and examined the strong partnership between the two companies. We also discussed the Markel renewal rights transaction, and looked ahead to the opportunity in specialty reinsurance for the companies. Watch the full video interview to hear more from Johnston and Issavi on market conditions, Nationwide and Ryan Re’s partnership, the Markel renewal deal, what the future holds for the firms in the specialty reinsurance market, and more.