Catlin Re Switzerland, part of Bermuda-based Catlin Group, has established a new branch office in Madrid that will commence underwrite treaty reinsurance business from July 2011.

The new office will underwrite property, casualty and specialty classes of reinsurance business for clients in Spain and Portugal.

The Madrid office will be lead by Julio Saez, who joined Catlin at the start of this month as branch manager. Saez has 24 years of experience in the insurance industry.

Prior to joining Catlin, Saez worked for Swiss Re as head of engineering and senior underwriter for Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
Catlin already has a Barcelona office, which offers direct insurance business for the Iberian market.

In addition, Catlin has appointed Daniel Gantner as new casualty underwriting director for its Switzerland operations.

According to the European reinsurer of Catlin, the appointment of Gantner has completed the senior underwriting team at Catlin Re Switzerland and enabling it to underwrite all major classes of reinsurance.

Based in Zurich, Gantner will be responsible for casualty reinsurance underwriting, expanding the Catlin Re Switzerland’s range of products into liability, professional lines and motor liability classes.

With 20 years of experience in international casualty reinsurance, Gantner will join the company from Munich Re, where he most recently served as casualty underwriting consultant.

Previously, he was with Swiss Re as senior product manager for casualty with key responsibility for the European and Asian portfolios.

Catlin Re Switzerland CEO Peter Schmidt said the addition of Daniel Gantner allows the firm to offer comprehensive reinsurance solutions across all lines of business.