# Jeff Radke

> Jeff Radke is the co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Accelerant, a data-driven specialty insurance risk exchange. A former PXRE CEO and Argo Group executive, he co-founded Accelerant in 2018 to connect specialist underwriters with risk capital through shared data and technology. Accelerant completed its IPO in July 2025 and announced an agreement to be acquired by Thoma Bravo in August 2026.

- **Role:** Co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Accelerant
- **Organizations:** Accelerant, Argo Group, PXRE Group, Select Reinsurance, CAT Limited, Guy Carpenter
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Insurance, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- **Known for:** Led PXRE as CEO from July 2003., Co-founded Accelerant in 2018., Led Accelerant through its July 2025 IPO.

## Career timeline

- **Age 16** — Began interning at Guy Carpenter; his father worked in reinsurance.
- **1990** — Completed a BBA in Finance and Insurance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- **2003** — Appointed CEO of PXRE effective July 1, succeeding his father Gerald Radke; previously president and COO.
- **2007** — PXRE and Argonaut combined to form Argo Group; Radke subsequently held senior Argo roles.
- **2013** — Became head of group operations at Argo.
- **2016** — Became Argo group head of strategic initiatives in August.
- **2018** — Co-founded Accelerant with Christopher Lee-Smith; the business launched in Europe.
- **2020** — Accelerant expanded into the United States.
- **2025** — Led Accelerant through its July initial public offering.
- **2026** — Accelerant announced an agreement to be acquired by Thoma Bravo on August 13; closing was expected in the first half of 2027.

## Achievements

- Led PXRE as CEO from July 2003.
- Co-founded Accelerant in 2018.
- Led Accelerant through its July 2025 IPO.
- Built a risk-exchange business connecting specialist underwriting businesses and risk capital providers across several countries.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Accelerant agreed to an all-cash acquisition by Thoma Bravo at $20.25 per share, with enterprise value above $4 billion. The announcement expected closing in the first half of 2027, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
- **2026-07** — Accelerant announced its ARX Consortium, expanding its Lloyd’s partnership with backing from seven syndicates.
- **2026-05** — Accelerant reported 296 members and $1,138.7 million of exchange written premium for the first quarter of 2026.
- **2026-01** — Appeared on The Future of Insurance podcast to discuss Accelerant’s IPO, long-term strategy and risk exchange.

## Links

- Website: https://accelerant.ai/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-radke/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jeff-radke
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23