HDI Global Specialty, the newly launched collaborative specialty insurance venture between HDI Global and Hannover Re, has acquired a team of four bloodstock underwriters from re/insurer Neon Underwriting.
The bloodstock team are active in the Lloyd’s and London markets and write a global book across the UK, U.S, Australia and Canada.
It is led by Mark Edward, who has been Neon’s Head of Specialty and Class Underwriter bloodstock/livestock since 2008. He has been in bloodstock for 30 years and was previously Managing Director of Heath Lambert’s bloodstock division.
Also on the team are Deputy Class Underwriter Cathy Olive and Underwriters Laura Moore and William Jordan. Olive has over 20 years’ experience in bloodstock and moved with Edwards to Neon in 2008.
HDI Global Specialty commenced underwriting in January with premium volumes in excess of €1 billion. It reported that its growth plans would combine organic growth with acquisitions of specialty teams and portfolios of high-margin business.
“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,” said Ralph Beutter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HDI Global Specialty SE.
“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,” he added.
Richard Taylor, member of the Executive Board of Management and UK Managing Director at HDI Global Specialty SE, also commented: “Mark Edwards and his bloodstock underwriting colleagues are one of the most experienced and highly regarded teams in the London market.”
“They are genuine market leaders and an excellent addition to our specialty lines business,” he continued. “We will continue to look for organic and M&A opportunities to grow our profitability in our specialty lines business.”
HDI Global Specialty SE currently operates from six of its own offices and throughout the HDI Global SE network in 150 countries.
