Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance to Acquire Outstanding Stake in Canopius with KKR and KIC

KKR is set to hold a minority interest in Canopius as Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance moves to controlling ownership.

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LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Canopius Group (“Canopius”, or the “Group”), a leading international specialty and P&C (re)insurer, today announces that Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance (“SFMI”) has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 60% stake in Canopius, alongside funds managed by global investment firm KKR, and Korea Investment Corporation (“KIC”).

The outstanding shares are being acquired from Canopius’ other existing shareholders, including Fidentia Fortuna Holdings, the controlling consortium led by global private investment firm Centerbridge Partners.

SFMI will acquire an additional 40.6% stake in Canopius out of the remaining 60%, increasing its total ownership to 80.6% through this transaction - KKR and KIC will hold 12.1% and 7.3% respectively. (The final shareholding is subject to minor adjustments at closing).

KKR intends to drive value creation and support Canopius’ continued growth by leveraging its global platform and operational, strategic, and M&A expertise.

KIC, the sovereign wealth fund of the Republic of Korea, participated in the co-investment as part of its strategic investment initiative aimed at supporting Korean companies in their global expansion.

Since its initial investment in 2019, SFMI has strengthened its strategic partnership with Canopius. SFMI increased its stake to 40% through investment in 2025, and will secure a controlling interest through this latest transaction. This agreement marks the culmination of a strategic partnership built deliberately over seven years, through greater ownership and increasing strategic and operational collaboration. With this transaction, SFMI is fully committed to preserving Canopius’ strengths, with the overall objective to create the leading global specialty insurer across Lloyd’s, the U.S. and Asia Pacific.

Munhwa (Marvin) Lee, Chief Executive Officer & President of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, said: "This acquisition marks a pivotal step in our journey towards becoming a truly global insurer. Building on seven years of trust between Canopius and SFMI, we will combine our strengths to solidify our position in the Lloyd’s market and pursue further global expansion, including in the US." He added, "We will fully support Canopius, enabling both companies to succeed together while preserving its expertise and autonomy."

Neil Robertson, Group Chief Executive Officer of Canopius Group, said: “SFMI has grown to know this business over the past seven years. They have watched, at close quarters, what we have built, and they are enticed by the exciting plans we have evolved, and they have chosen to back it in full. There is no greater compliment a partner can pay, and we are grateful for the confidence they are placing in us. What this brings Canopius is permanent capital and an owner with a long-term view; we will retain the same appetite, the same discipline and the same people alongside our clients and brokers. For everyone here this is a launch pad rather than a finish line, and I am incredibly optimistic about what we will build next. I would also like to thank Centerbridge and the other consortium partners for their support and partnership over the last few years."

Centerbridge Partners Senior Managing Directors Ben Langworthy and Matthew Kabaker said, “It has been a privilege to support Canopius on its journey to becoming one of the world's leading specialty underwriters. Alongside the Group's management team and SFMI, we supported a period of substantial growth and transformation. Through strategic investment, operational enhancement and a disciplined focus on long-term value creation, Canopius has strengthened its market position, expanded its global footprint and enhanced its long-term growth prospects. Together, we helped build a stronger platform for sustained growth. We are proud of the value created during this partnership and wish the company, its management team and SFMI every success in the years ahead.”

Michael Small, Partner, Credit & Markets at KKR, said: “This transaction reflects the value of flexible, long-term capital in supporting a high-quality business with a differentiated global franchise. We look forward to supporting Canopius in its next phase of growth, drawing on KKR’s global network and deep operational and sector experience across insurance and reinsurance.”

Il Young Park, KIC CEO, said: “KIC will continue to actively participate in a diverse range of investments and seek opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of Korean industry through the overseas expansion of Korean companies.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals.

About Canopius

Canopius is an international specialty and P&C (re)insurer. Canopius underwrites insurance products on several platforms to offer a wide range of specialty solutions. Our offices are located in Australia, Bermuda, Singapore, the UK and the U.S. We underwrite through Lloyd’s Syndicate 4444 (managed by Canopius Managing Agents Limited), a US surplus lines insurer, Canopius US Insurance, Inc and Canopius Reinsurance Ltd, a Bermuda based Class 4 Reinsurer. By working together across regions, we create global insurance solutions in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit www.canopius.com or find out more via LinkedIn.

About Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance

SFMI is the leading non-life insurance company in Korea, headquartered in Seoul. In addition to property & casualty business, SFMI provides a variety of insurance products and services such as corporate pensions, annuity and health insurance. SFMI’s shares are listed on the Korea Exchange and is the largest non-life insurance company by market capitalisation as of 2025. S&P and A.M. Best have affirmed ratings of AA and A++ respectively. For more information, visit www.samsungfire.com or find out more via LinkedIn.

About Centerbridge Partners

Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplines — Private Equity, Private Credit and Real Estate — in an effort to develop the most attractive opportunities for our investors. The Firm was founded in 2005 and, as of December 31, 2025, has approximately $46 billion in assets under management with offices in New York and London. Centerbridge is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit www.centerbridge.com | LinkedIn.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

About KIC

The Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) is the sovereign wealth fund of the Republic of Korea. We manage public funds entrusted by the Korean government and Bank of Korea, investing across diverse asset classes. Our goal is to increase sovereign wealth and help develop the domestic finance industry. Learn more at www.kic.kr/en/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261109534243/en/

For KKR
Wei Jun Ong
+65 6922 5813
WeiJun.Ong@kkr.com

James Jarman
+65 8870 6452
James.Jarman@kkr.com

Source: KKR

Key Terms

p&c financial

P&C stands for property and casualty insurance, the sector that protects physical assets (homes, cars, buildings) and pays for legal or repair costs when people or property are harmed. Investors watch P&C businesses because they generate steady premium income but face sudden, often large claims after accidents or disasters, so profitability can swing sharply—think of premiums as a safety net that can stretch or tear under big losses.

sovereign wealth fund financial

A sovereign wealth fund is a large savings pool managed by a country's government, created by setting aside part of the nation’s wealth—such as revenue from natural resources or budget surpluses—for future use. It functions like a national investment account, helping stabilize the economy and generate income over the long term. For investors, it represents a significant source of financial stability and potential investment opportunities in global markets.

surplus lines insurer regulatory

A surplus lines insurer is a licensed insurance company that writes policies for unusual, high-risk, or hard-to-place exposures that standard insurers won’t cover, operating outside the regular admitted market though still overseen by regulators. Investors care because these firms can charge higher premiums and assume outsized losses, so their earnings and capital can be more volatile; rising demand for surplus lines can also indicate stress or gaps in the broader insurance market.