QBE Insurance Group has appointed three new chief underwriting officers (CUO) to its European Division.
These appointments follows the consolidation of QBE’s European underwriting operations into three underwriting divisions: property, casualty & motor division, marine, energy & aviation division and reinsurance division.
QBE said that with the appointment of John Neal to the role of CEO of QBE Group Global Underwriting Operations in January 2011, Ash Bathia, Colin O’Farrell and Jonathan Parry will assume the roles of CUO for the distinct divisions of QBE Europe Operations (EO) business.
Ash Bathia, who is currently the managing director of casualty and motor division will become CUO of property, casualty and motor division.
QBE said that the management of its EO’s property division will merge with the existing casualty and motor division. Finlay Smith and Peter Fice will lead the respective accounts for UK & European Property, and London Market and International Property (Lloyd’s), reporting directly to Ash Bathia.
As a result of this merger, Bernard Mageean, currently managing director of property division, will be leaving QBE.
Colin O’Farrell, presently managing director of marine and energy division, has been appointed as CUO of the marine, energy and aviation division.
QBE EO’s aviation business, under the leadership of Emilio Di Silvio, will transfer to an enlarged marine, energy and aviation division. This follows the integration of QBE’s marine businesses, syndicate 1036 and British marine.
Jonathan Parry, current managing director of Reinsurance and Specialist will become CUO of reinsurance division. Parry’s reinsurance responsibilities have been broadened recently by the acquisition of Belgian reinsurer, Secura.
The transfer of the aviation business will enable Parry and his team to focus on the reinsurance client and product growth opportunities in Europe. Parry will also retain local management oversight of the European credit lines business.