It looks like HDI Global Specialty SE, which came to life by combining the specialty lines activities of Hannover Re and HDI Global SE, is busy building up its arsenal after entering the market in January.
It has been revealed that bloodstock executives from Neon Underwriting have been snapped up by the joint venture. These include class underwriter Mark Edwards, with deputy class underwriter Cathy Olive as well as underwriters Laura Moore and William Jordan in tow.
“Mark Edwards and his bloodstock underwriting colleagues are one of the most experienced and highly regarded teams in the London Market,” noted Richard Taylor, member of the executive board of management and UK managing director at HDI Global Specialty SE.
“They are genuine market leaders and an excellent addition to our specialty lines business. We will continue to look for organic and M&A opportunities to grow our profitability in our specialty lines business.”
Team leader Edwards, for instance, has been in bloodstock for more than three decades. He previously served as managing director of the bloodstock division at Lloyd’s broker Heath Lambert.
“When launching HDI Global Specialty SE in January, I said that we would be creating a strong platform to maximise the opportunities that exist within specialty lines,” explained chief executive Ralph Beutter.
“Bringing in Mark Edwards and his team underlines this strategy and is an early sign of both our intentions, and our commitment to responding to clients’ needs.”
The new specialty lines insurer operates not only from six of its own offices but also throughout the HDI Global SE network in 150 countries.
