London aviation reinsurance market expert Hans Towler will head the aviation reinsurance division of Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM) come March.

Based in LSM’s London headquarters, Towler will report to chief underwriting officer – reinsurance Dieter Winkel. LSM said he will initially work alongside Chris Rudd, head of aviation reinsurance.

Rudd, who has led the division since 2001, will be replaced by Towler when he retires in the first quarter of 2018.

Towler’s most recent role was at Willis, where he was a member of the senior management team of the aviation treaty division for seven years. He originally joined Willis in 1985 before moving to Benfield.

His first 13 years with Willis were spent mainly in the aviation excess of loss team, finishing as MD of the division. Prior to going back to Willis, Towler spent 11 years at Benfield where he specialised in aviation and space reinsurance.

“Hans is a highly experienced and talented leader with considerable experience of aviation reinsurance,” said Winkel. “His knowledge and strategic insight will ensure the division continues to perform successfully.”


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