To focus on owners and contractors engaged in construction in US

Beazley is has expanded its US property business with the formation of a dedicated Builders’ Risk team.

Colin Rose, a senior underwriter from the London Construction and Engineering team, will move to Chicago to lead the initiative and will be joined there by Tom Warner, who joins Beazley from Allianz Global.

Mark Bernacki, head of US Property, said: This is a natural progression for Beazley. The Construction and Engineering business has established teams in London and Singapore. We believe there will be comparably strong demand for the skills of specialist underwriters in the US market.

Colin and Tom have a wealth of expertise and in excess of 45 years combined construction experience to bring to the sector. While the construction market is undoubtedly suffering in the current economic conditions, there are signs that indicate improvements in 2010. We believe that this is the right time to be putting in place the infrastructure to help brokers and clients once the market begins to pick up.

The Builders’ Risk product rounds out Beazley’s current admitted and surplus lines fixed property offerings, meeting the vast majority of brokers’ property insurance needs.

The team will focus on owners and contractors who are engaged in construction in all areas of the US as well as their interests overseas. Their areas will include all types of buildings, civil engineering, oil and gas, power, and light and heavy industries.