Corporate round-up

Beazley strengthens marine team

Specialist insurer Beazley is strengthening its marine liability and cargo capabilities with two new hires.

Phil Sandle, a member of the Lloyd’s Market Association and current chairman of the Joint Liability Committee, has joined Beazley as Head of Marine Liability. Additionally, Stuart Spiers has joined Beazley as Cargo Underwriter.

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Mr Sandle has 20 years of Lloyd’s underwriting experience, most recently as Deputy Divisional Underwriter for marine & energy at Canopius.

Previous to this, Mr Sandle worked at QBE and Hiscox.

Mr Spiers joins Beazley from Travelers and has ten years’ experience in the market, previously having worked at Amlin and Catlin.

Clive Washbourn, Head of Beazley’s Marine Division, said on the appointments: “We are delighted to have Phil and Stuart join Beazley. Marine liability and cargo are important areas of focus for us and we plan to grow them further. Phil is one of the most able marine liability underwriters in the market and we are delighted to have someone of his calibre in the team. His expertise will be invaluable to our business and clients.”

And he added: “Stuart is very well versed in the cargo market. His experience and knowledge in one of our key areas of business—the movement of crude oil and oil products—and an in-depth understanding of broker requirements will help us in building our business.”

Towers Watson makes crisis management broking appointments

Towers Watson has increased its crisis management broking team with three appointments, including, for the first time, two US hires.

Mark Steddon is named as Global Head of Terrorism and Political Violence Brokerage and will be based in London.

He has 15 years’ experience in the sector, including the placement and management of a large number of international terrorism accounts across many industries. He previously worked at Aon.

Corina Müller Monaghan and Steve Robinson are the first hires for Towers Watson’s crisis management business based in the US, and will operate out of New York City.

Ms Müller Monaghan will head North American operations as well as continuing to focus on political and credit risk insurance brokerage for companies working in emerging markets.

She previously worked at Willis, as did Mr Robinson, who will lead broking activities related to kidnap and ransom, extortion and related security risks.

Prior to joining Towers Watson, Mr Robinson operated his own specialist broking business for the last three years.

“We are very pleased to bring on these outstanding and highly respected broking executives in the crisis management field—and to broaden our crisis group into the North American market. This expansion confirms our commitment to building the leading crisis management broking firm globally,” said Christof Bentele, Chief Broking Officer in the crisis management business at Towers Watson.

ACE appoints Gordon Knox as Casualty Manager, Scotland

ACE has promoted Gordon Knox to the position of Casualty Manager for Scotland.

Previously Senior Casualty Underwriter, Scotland, Mr Knox will now be responsible for the overall management and growth of ACE’s casualty portfolio in Scotland.

He will particularly focus on client engagement and the maintenance and development of broker-focused working practices, said the insurance firm.

Mr Knox, who joined ACE in 2007, has14 years’ experience in the UK insurance industry. Prior to that, he spent nine years with AIG’s casualty team.

Reporting to Andy Macfarlane, Regional Manager, Scotland, and to Mark Roberts, UK & Ireland Casualty Manager, Mr Knox will be based in ACE’s Glasgow office and takes up his new role with immediate effect.

Mr Macfarlane said: “Our Scotland operations continue to flourish. The past year has seen a number of new appointments, product enhancements and the opening of a new and growing office in Aberdeen. Casualty is the cornerstone of ACE’s Scottish business and it is extremely satisfying to promote Gordon Knox to this expanded role as we continue to provide expert, tailored cover to clients throughout the country.”