Cooper Gay, an independent insurance and reinsurance intermediary, has strengthened its upstream energy business team with the appointment of David Keen as head of upstream operations.

Keen will join the London-based energy team with the remit of developing new business opportunities within the upstream energy sector.

He has also been appointed as divisional director and will manage a dedicated upstream team, operating in parallel to Cooper Gay’s downstream operation, headed by Andrew Stammers.

Previous to this, Keen was a partner at Alesco Risk Management Services. During his 30 year career in the industry, has also held senior positions with JLT and Aon.

Recently, Cooper Gay hired David Hallows and Philip Hallett into its upstream team and the business is looking to further enhance its energy capabilities with additional recruitment in 2011.

Cooper Gay & Co interim CEO Shaun Hooper said expanding the energy resources to specifically target upstream business is a key element of Cooper Gay’s development strategy for 2011.

"By appointing David we have not only strengthened the team, but also enhanced the specialist client offering as part of the strategy to drive growth in our upstream book and establish Cooper Gay as a leading energy broker in both the London and global markets," Hooper said.