Bermuda-based property and casualty insurance provider Endurance Specialty Holdings has appointed Fred Cooper as executive vice president and head of US financial institutions insurance practice.

In his new role, Cooper will be responsible for enhancing the specialty insurance business that provides management liability coverage to hedge funds, private equity firms, banks and insurance firms.

Based in New York, Cooper has more than 20 years of experience in underwriting management liability and financial institution insurance solutions.

Cooper joins the company from Aspen Specialty, where he served as executive vice president and chief D&O underwriter. Prior to Aspen, Cooper was with Axis Insurance as executive vice president for the financial insurance solutions segment.

Before this, he was senior vice president, underwriting officer and product manager for middle market/technology/private equity unit at Axis.

Cooper also held underwriting roles at Liberty International Underwriters, Aon Financial Services and AIG.