XL Insurance, the global insurance operations of XL Group, has opened a new underwriting office in Birmingham, UK.

As part of the opening, Gary Waterfield has been appointed as senior casualty underwriter, Middle Markets.

Waterfield has nearly 20 years of underwriting and broking experience with a focus on SMEs and larger corporate risks.

He will join from Zurich Financial Services in Birmingham, where he was a regional construction manager with responsibility for underwriting and business development.

XL Insurance chief underwriting officer UK Middle Markets Denis Burniston said the new Birmingham office is ideally placed to service the growing regional customer base, especially in the Midlands.

"Gary has the experience and contacts to further grow the business in the region, building on our established reputation of efficient underwriting and claims services," Burniston said.