Lloyd's announced the appointment of Rodney Smith as regional director for Lloyd's America's newly established Southeast region early this month.

Mr. Smith, who has more than 20 years of experience in the standard and surplus lines marketplace, will be based in Atlanta. He will be responsible for market development activities in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, Lloyd's said.

In 2010, Lloyd's America divided the United States into three regions—Western, Central and Eastern—with the goal of streamlining its business operations. Lloyd's said the newly formed Southeast region was created to reinforce its commitment to its distribution partners in that market.

Hank Watkins, president, Lloyd's America, said, “We are excited to have Rod in place and leading Lloyd's market development effort in the Southeast region. His expertise in underwriting and claims, the alternative risk market and broker relations, combined with his recent experience working for a Lloyd's syndicate, have facilitated Rod's seamless transition to Lloyd's America.”

Mr. Smith said, “My first priority is to become the face of Lloyd's in the Southeast region by introducing myself to anyone and everyone who works with the market now, or could in the future. I want our broker partners to know that I am a resource who can help them navigate the Lloyd's market.”

“Second, I want to continue to educate—not just the insurance professionals but also the wider business community and students in the risk management discipline at our colleges and universities—about the value and benefits of doing business with Lloyd's.”

Mr. Smith was vice president of ICAT (Lloyd's syndicate 4242) from 2005-2010. Previously, he was vice president, Southeast region, for XL Capital; and national director, alternative market products, for American International Group.