London-based Beazley Group plc said it has made a series of senior-level management appointments, including naming David Marock to the newly created post of chief operating officer.
The insurer said the moves are designed to strengthen the group's operational capabilities and ability to exploit attractive underwriting opportunities.
Mr. Marock, who held the title of head of specialty lines claims, as COO will work closely with Andrew Horton, Beazley Group chief executive; Philippe Mazas, chief information officer; and Penny Malik, head of talent management, among others, the company said.
Neil Maidment, head of the reinsurance division, the firm said, will take on the additional role of chairman of the underwriting committee and active underwriter of syndicates 623 and 2623.
In this capacity, Beazley said he will be responsible for the group's underwriting strategy in consultation with the heads of the other four divisions: property, marine and energy, specialty lines, and political risks and contingency.
Jonathan Gray, head of the property division, will chair a new management group focusing on the development of U.S. business, whether underwritten at Lloyd's or locally in the U.S. market, Beazley said.
The United States is Beazley's most important geographic market, representing 55 percent of gross premiums in 2007.
Adrian Cox, formerly head of the professions group within specialty lines, Beazley's largest division, has become head of specialty lines, following the departure of Johnny Rowell, announced in June, the company said.
Mr. Cox had been responsible for the day-to-day running of the specialty lines division since Mr. Rowell began chairing Beazley's underwriting committee last year. He has also been appointed to the board of Beazley Furlonge, Ltd., the group's Lloyd's managing agency.
Mr. Horton, in announcing the changes, said with the appointments, "We are, I believe, extremely well placed to offer our brokers and clients the support and solutions they need in this very challenging market."
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