Specialist commercial (re)insurer International General Insurance Holdings (IGI), which is registered in British overseas territory Bermuda, will now have direct access to business across Europe via its newly established subsidiary in Malta.

The Malta Financial Services Authority has granted the licence of International General Insurance Company (Europe) SE, authorising IGI Europe to begin writing a full suite of IGI products. Tapped to lead the subsidiary is Keith Mallia-Milanes, who has come onboard as IGI Europe chief executive and will report to IGI UK CEO to Andreas Loucaides.

“IGI Europe is open and ready for business,” said Mallia-Milanes, whose more than 35 years of industry experience includes time spent at MAPFRE. “IGI has a well-established reputation as an agile and disciplined underwriter, and IGI Europe will deliver that focus and ingenuity to the European market.”

Aside from Bermuda, London, and Malta, the wider group also operates in Dubai, Amman, Labuan, and Casablanca.

Commenting on the development, Loucaides noted: “IGI’s footprint in mainland Europe, prior to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, was managed through relationships between our UK-based underwriters and London brokers.

“Operating from Malta presents a good business growth opportunity and will better enable IGI to service European clients. Under Keith’s leadership, we will continue to build out our European team and grow our portfolio in continental Europe.”