Lloyd’s has appointed Inga Beale, the Group CEO of reinsurer Canopius, as the market’s first female CEO.

Ms Beale has held senior positions at Zurich Insurance Group and French reinsurer Scor in a 30-year (re)insurance career. She is the first female CEO in the market’s 325-year history.

She replaces Richard Ward, who will leave Lloyd’s at the end of the month. Her appointment follows an “extensive global search” by the market.

Lloyd’s Chairman John Nelson says he is “absolutely delighted” with the appointment.

“Inga’s CEO experience, underwriting background, international experience and operational skills, together with her knowledge of the Lloyd’s market, make her the ideal chief executive,” he said.

Ms Beale spoke at the Steadfast Convention in Melbourne in 2011 when she was Zurich’s Global Chief Underwriting Officer.