AXIS Insurance has formed a health care unit that will focus on providing professional liability insurance and associated standard casualty coverages for physician groups, hospitals, allied health care facilities, and individual physicians. Kimber Lantry, who has joined AXIS Insurance as an executive vice president, will lead the unit. Mr. Lantry will be based in California.

Commenting on the announcement, Peter Wilson, the president of AXIS Insurance's U.S. operations, said, “We believe the health care industry represents an attractive and highly complementary business opportunity for AXIS Insurance to bring to bear its specialty underwriting expertise, service capabilities, and capital strength. We are very pleased that Kimber Lantry, a seasoned industry veteran with more than 37 years of professional liability experience and 20 years directing health care insurance operations, has joined us to lead this new initiative. We look forward to the contributions of Kimber and his team in developing a world-class health care professional liability unit at AXIS Insurance. In line with our commitment to this specialty line, we expect to add to the founding team as the business develops.”

Mr. Lantry previously was with Hudson Insurance Group, where he directed health care insurance operations since 1997. Prior to Hudson, he had a similar role at Firemen's Fund. He also formerly held positions at The Doctors' Company, NORCAL Mutual, Marsh and McLennan, and the captive insurance company for the Adventist Health System.