Our Values
RiverStone has built a reputation as a best in class run-off specialist, both as a highly effective operator and as a respected employer. The continuous evolution of our business and our associates is both a collective and individual responsibility, fostered by an entrepreneurial environment where associates are fulfilled and valued.
For sellers, brokers, captive owners and other stakeholders, we strive to be straight-forward and easy to engage. We have always stood for and always will aim towards responsible run-off. We will never compromise the honesty and integrity that are essential to all our relationships.
Fairfax Values Define Who We Are
- We are results oriented – not political.
- We are team players – no egos.
- We are loyal to each other and to our stakeholders.
- We are hard-working but not at the expense of our families.
- We seek opportunities but emphasize downside protection.
- We are entrepreneurial and encourage calculated risk taking.
- We will never bet the company on any project or acquisition.
- We believe in having fun – at work!
The Professionals
“RiverStone is exceptionally trustworthy and reputable.”
Global Insurance Broker
Our professional ethos ultimately translates into better service for claimants, greater risk control for insurers, and higher returns for shareholders. We believe greater openness and collaboration create better deals for everyone, leading to practical relationships that are friendly and flexible.
We are the professionals in our industry.
Captive owners, sellers, advisors and brokers we work with use this term to describe us, over and over. At the same time, we are responsible for the industry’s most creative and sustainable deals. We actively foster a family culture, and we care about our values and our people. We are an understated and powerful force for great in global run-off.
Our Leadership Team
RiverStone is a highly experienced group of professionals from various disciplines.
The RiverStone Group is a group of insurance, reinsurance, and service companies specializing in the management of legacy and run-off insurance businesses and portfolios. As an industry leader in claims resolution, reinsurance recovery, and dispute resolution, we employ over 350 professionals, operating across multiple offices and affiliates spread throughout the US.
RiverStone comprises a highly experienced group of international professionals from various disciplines, including finance, actuarial, litigation, claims handling, technology, and HR. Our team has worked on numerous high-profile, global run-off transactions, and our executives typically have more than 25 years of industry experience and on average have been with the company for over 15 years.
Nick Bentley
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
With over 30 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industries, Nick leads the RiverStone organization. He has served a number of roles with RiverStone and its predecessors for almost 20 years. Before joining RiverStone, Nick was responsible for the claims settlements across all classes of reinsurance business at Lloyd’s. Prior to that, he spent over 15 years working with Lloyd’s brokers, which culminated in the role of Chief Executive of Alwen Hough Johnson Management Services Ltd.
Fun Fact: Nick enjoys traveling and skiing, and is an avid fan of Stoke City Football Club (the second oldest and poorest performing professional football club in the world).
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Nick Bentley
Matt Kunish
Chief Business Development Officer
With over 25 years of insurance industry experience, Matt leads the Actuarial and Business Development groups in the US. Prior to RiverStone, he worked at Crum & Forster for 10 years, the last six years as Chief Actuary. Before that Matt was a consulting actuary for Milliman Inc. for 5 years in New York, working on a variety of consulting assignments in the US and Europe. He began his career as a consulting actuary for Deloitte (formerly Bacon & Woodrow) in London. Matt earned a BSc with Honors, in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Bristol.
Fun Fact: Matt is a big golf fan (and golfer) in the summer and likes to hit the ski slopes in the winter.
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Matt Kunish
Deborah Irving
Chief Corporate Operations Officer
With over 20 years of experience in the reinsurance industry, Deborah is responsible for running the financial aspect of RiverStone worldwide. Prior to joining RiverStone, Deborah served in several leadership roles with OdysseyRe, including Vice President of Finance and Senior Vice President and Chief Agent for the company’s Canadian Branch. She has also held multiple finance leadership roles at Swiss Re, including CFO and Vice President of Strategic Planning and Capital Management for their Canadian Property & Casualty business. Deborah is a Chartered Professional Accountant of Ontario (CGA) and holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a BA in Economics from the University of Western Ontario.
Fun Fact: Deborah is a hockey goalie mom and enjoys watching NHL games, supporting the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Deborah Irving
Bob Sampson
Chief Insurance Operations Officer
With over 25 years of experience in the Insurance Industry, Bob oversees the Claims, Legal and Reinsurance Departments at RiverStone US. Bob joined RiverStone in 1996 as a claim professional, managing and resolving some of the organization's largest claims and coverage disputes. As the former Director of Training and Development, Bob has been responsible for coaching and developing RiverStone staff. Prior to joining RiverStone, Bob was an Account Executive with Travelers Insurance Company, specializing in asbestos, pollution, and health hazard claims. He earned his BA in Economics from Bucknell University.
Fun Fact: Bob is an avid sports fan, a die-hard NY Giants and NY Yankees supporter in particular, and coaches youth football and baseball in his local community.
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Bob Sampson
Richard Fabian
Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Legal Counsel
With over 27 years resolving complex insurance and reinsurance issues, Rich leads a team of experienced professionals responsible for all legal matters in the U.S. He joined RiverStone in 1999 and has served as Senior Latent Claims Attorney, Director of Assumed Reinsurance, Director of Litigation, and General Counsel. Before RiverStone, Richard was national counsel to various international insurers and reinsurers at Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps. He earned his BA in English from Marquette University and a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law.
Fun Fact: Rich enjoys, writing, fishing, and building intricate wooden replicas of famous ships, while spending his leisure time along the shore in Rockport, Massachusetts.
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