Liberty Specialty Markets restructures UK and MENA operations

By Edward Carron

June 17 - (The Insurer) - Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM) has reorganized its UK and MENA region into three new divisions focused on marine and aviation, specialty and property, as well as a new auto-follow unit within its delegated authority practice, the company said on Tuesday.

Meghan Walker will oversee the marine and aviation division, bringing over two decades of aviation underwriting experience, including the last 12 years at LSM and previous roles at Aon and Lockton.

Mike Burle will lead the specialty division, building on his 16-year tenure at LSM across various specialty classes. He will retain his role as deputy active underwriter of Liberty’s Syndicate 4472.

The property division will combine the current international property and UK commercial property divisions into a single, streamlined unit, the company said.

A head for the London specialty insurer's new property division has not been appointed, but the recruitment process is underway.

Current head of commercial property Dermot Walsh will transition to director of UK retail, leveraging over 40 years of experience.

Lewis Edwards joined LSM in 2018 to build its cover holder business and went on to launch its delegated authority practice in 2022, which he will continue to lead.

The new auto-follow business unit within its delegated authority practice aims to capitalize on market opportunities through algorithmic and digital underwriting.