Corporate round-up

QBE appoints Patrick Coene as MD for European Markets

QBE has appointed Patrick Coene as Managing Director for European Markets.

Mr Coene will join the insurer in September 2011 and will be based in Brussels. He will report to Terry Whittaker, Managing Director, Distribution at QBE European Operations.

Mr Coene was previously Chief Executive Officer of Amlin Corporate Insurance NV.

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Commenting on the appointment, Mr Whittaker said: “Patrick brings not only extensive underwriting and management experience, but also provides an essential continental European perspective at executive level, which we believe is key to expanding our business proposition to benefit both brokers and clients”.

Steven Burns, Chief Executive Officer, QBE European Operations, added: “The profitable growth and diversification of our continental European business is a critical aspect of our strategy for the next five years. We are delighted that Patrick has agreed to join QBE to accelerate the development of this business”.

RFIB appoints new International Cargo Divisional Director and lays out plans for Global Property and Construction Facultative business

RFIB Group Ltd, the international Lloyd’s insurance and reinsurance broker, has appointed Andrew Hutchings as Divisional Director at RFIB International. He will take up his new position on 10 December 2011 in the Cargo Division.

Mr Hutchings has over 20 years of experience in the cargo arena and joins RFIB Group from Price Forbes & Partners, where he has worked predominantly on developing solutions for a variety of US based clients.

RFIB said Mr Hutchings will assist in the continued expansion of its Cargo business through new product development and geographical diversification.

RFIB have also recruited Richard Macfarlane to drive its newly created Global Property and Construction (GPC) Direct, Wholesale and Facultative business.

He will join from Glencairn Limited, after fulfilling contractual obligations, and will be tasked with building a team of experienced professionals.

The team will sit within RFIB’s International Division reporting to Simon Barnes.

Commenting on the appointment, Simon Barnes said: “RFIB intends to build a first rate team to catapult us into the premier league in Global Property and Construction re/insurance. This is a key element in our strategy to grow our Global non-marine business by adding new lines to our existing services.”

Willis appoints new Chairman and CEO of Australia business

Willis has announced that Scott Pickering, President of Willis’ Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa operations will assume the additional role of Chairman of Willis Australasia with immediate effect.

The broker has also announced that Pieter Lindhout will take over the role of CEO of Willis Australasia in October, when Bill Donovan leaves the company.

Mr Pickering joined Willis in 2010 after working for RSA Insurance as Regional CEO for Asia and Middle East. Before that he held a series of senior leadership roles at ACE Insurance in South Africa and the Asia Pacific.

Mr Lindhout, most recently the Managing Director of GE Capital Insurance, has previously been CEO of Tower Insurance, Managing Director of AMP General Insurance, General Manager of The Spencer Partnership and Operations Manager of Medical Benefits Funds (MBF).

Mr Lindhout and Mr Pickering will report to Roger Wilkinson, Chairman & CEO, Willis Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

Aon GRIP Solutions expands UK team

Aon Risk Solutions, the risk management business of Aon Corp, has appointed three new insurer relationship managers to its Aon GRIP Solutions in the UK.

All three appointments are from within Aon, across a range of areas within the business.

David Cleverly, who heads up the North American wholesale team for Aon’s Financial Services team in the UK, has over 25 years experience in the insurance industry. He joined Aon seven years ago, having previously worked at both JLT and Marsh.

Jane Kielty, currently Manchester area director for Aon’s Corporate team, has been with Aon for six years and will begin her new role in September.

Duncan Welham joined Aon in 2008 after a distinguished career in the RAF.

Aon GRIP Solutions provides insurance carriers with analytical insights regarding their underwriting capabilities and gives advice to help them better understand clients’ requirements, using insurance placement data from Aon GRIP, Aon’s proprietary information database.