Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has gained a Singapore insurance licence and poached two AIG executives for its Asian operations.

The licence is Berkshire Hathaway’s first for Asia. In October, Boston-based President Peter Eastwood revealed the company also wanted to enter the Hong Kong, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian markets and was working through the regulatory processes.

As reported by insuranceNEWS.com.au in September, the group has hired RSA Asia CEO Chris Colahan, who will move from Singapore to Sydney in the new year to lead operations here.

Berkshire Hathaway recently appointed Hong Kong-based Marc Breuil as Regional President. He was previously AIG’s president and CEO for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Marcus Portbury becomes Head of Third Party Lines in Asia, joining from AIG, where he was Asia-Pacific head of casualty, based in Hong Kong.

Peter McKenna has become Head of Energy and Construction Casualty in Asia, joining the company from Catlin, where he was Asia head of casualty.