Hub International has announced the appointment of Jay Virdi (pictured) as chief sales officer for its cannabis insurance and risk services in the US and Canada. Virdi most recently developed and managed the cannabis practice group for a North American specialty risks MGA.

In his new role, Virdi will focus on developing and perpetuating expertise and resources across the US and Canada to provide proper protection and risk mitigation to medical and recreational cannabis producers, distributors and retailers.

Virdi has more than 15 years of insurance-industry experience, including experience advising on commercial lines insurance and underwriting complex risks and commercial programs. He has also served as a global sales consultant, advising insurance carriers using big-data analytics.

Virdi holds a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in economics and business management from the University of Toronto and a digital certification in communications, culture and information technology from Sheridan College.