Arch Insurance International has appointed Richard Smith its new senior warranty & specialty affinity underwriter, effective immediately.

Smith boasts a wealth of insurance experience spanning the Lloyd's and company markets. Most recently, he was a director at Newpoint Insurance Brokers, having joined the company in 2007. He also served as a senior risk and pricing analyst at Advent Solutions Management and began his insurance career at Domestic and General.

In his new role at Arch Insurance International, Smith will be based in London, supporting the growth of the company's warranty & specialty affinity portfolio alongside a team recognised as a market leader in providing insurance and reinsurance solutions across a broad range of warranty, creditor, and added value ancillary products. Smith will report to Sean Fearon, head of warranty & specialty affinity.

Read more: Arch Insurance International shores up claims team with senior hires

“Richard brings over 20 years of warranty and affinity experience both within broking and underwriting,” Fearon said. “He has a deep understanding of risk and pricing analysis and extensive experience in working on international insurance and reinsurance programmes. His solution-led approach and technical expertise make him a perfect fit for our team.”

Smith's appointment follows Arch Insurance International's appointment spree in March, all effective immediately:

• Janet Brook, Tilly Milnes, and Sheena Hooda joined Arch Insurance International's claims team as senior claims handlers;
• Linda Daly took up the role of senior underwriter for executive assurance; and
• Ceded reinsurance senior vice president Krista Bonneau was promoted to chief reinsurance and exposure officer.

Arch Insurance was awarded as the Best Insurance Companies for Claims in Australia and New Zealand. Read all the winners here.