A new force in specialty insurance has officially launched. Ignyte Insurance, backed by global investment firm Carlyle, is setting its sights on acquiring and scaling high-performing insurance brands across niche markets worldwide. This new venture comes from the executive team that built NSM Insurance Group into a $2 billion specialty insurance powerhouse.
Founded and led by Geof McKernan, Bill McKernan, and Marc Castellucci, the Ignyte team brings over 30 years of industry experience. The launch follows the recent sale of NSM Insurance Group’s U.S. commercial business to New Mountain Capital — marking a new chapter focused on global growth and innovation in specialty lines.
“Ignyte represents more than a name — it embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and grit that have fueled our growth for over three decades,” said Geof McKernan, CEO of Ignyte Insurance. “Others may turn away from complex niche industries — we run toward them.”
Scaling High-Performing Niche Brands
Ignyte is already home to a growing portfolio of specialty insurance brands, spanning:
- Collector car
- Travel medical
- International student health
- Leased equipment
- Other embedded insurance products
Together, these companies manage over $650 million in premium and serve millions of customers across the U.S., UK, Europe, and Australia. Backed by scalable capital, transformative technology, and robust operational support, Ignyte enables its portfolio brands to accelerate growth, enhance innovation, and deliver world-class service.
Proven Model, Bold Vision
Ignyte’s strategy is powered by a disciplined acquisition model, deep underwriting expertise, and a customer-first mindset. The goal: build a global platform that transforms how niche insurance is scaled and delivered.
“We’ve proven our ability to build and scale successful companies, and with Ignyte, we’re ready to take that to the next level,” said Bill McKernan, President of Ignyte Insurance. “The opportunity ahead is massive.”
And the “Y” in Ignyte? It symbolizes defying expectations. As McKernan puts it, “We don’t follow the crowd — we uncover untapped potential and build something truly different.”
Follow Ignyte Insurance on LinkedIn to learn more about its expanding portfolio and vision for the future of specialty insurance.
About Ignyte Insurance
Ignyte Insurance is a specialty insurance platform focused on building and scaling high-performing specialty insurance brands in unique, niche markets. The company’s core strategy centers on acquiring and growing specialized insurance businesses that offer differentiated products and exceptional customer service. Backed by a strong track record of innovation and disciplined growth, Ignyte is committed to driving consistent underwriting performance, operational excellence and long-term value creation.
With more than $4 billion in executed transactions, Ignyte is one of the fastest-growing specialty insurance platforms in the industry. Today, its diversified portfolio represents $650 million in premium and includes market-leading solutions for classic and collector cars, travel medical, international student health, leased equipment and specialist MGA platforms.
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