Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has started offering transactional liability insurance in the Asia and Middle East (AME) region. The insurer has also appointed Steven Harwood as regional head of transactional liability, based in Hong Kong.

According to a statement by BHSI, it will focus primarily on providing representations and warranties insurance as well as tax liability insurance across AME. The company already provides transactional liability coverage from its offices in the US, Canada, and the UK.

Harwood joins BHSI from Pembroke Managing Agency Underwriting at Lloyd’s Japan, where he was senior underwriter and solicitor, M&A insurance. Prior to that, he was senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, and divisional director (London and Tokyo) at Willis Faber & Dumas Ltd, a Lloyd’s reinsurance broker.

A former Royal Navy Officer, Harwood holds a bachelor’s degree from London University and a master’s degree from International Budo University in Japan.

“Properly navigating the risks of corporate transactions is critical to growing companies and industry leaders alike,” said Marc Breuil, head of AME at BHSI. “This expansion enhances our ability to provide transactional liability underwriting expertise and know-how through our regional hubs of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

“Steve Harwood has extensive experience helping companies respond swiftly and strategically to the risks of mergers, acquisitions and other transactions, and we are delighted that he has joined BHSI.”