Underwriting agency Dual International plans to open a Singapore office in the second half of this year.

The current manager of Dual’s WA operations, Mark Spadaccini, will run the Singapore office. Senior Underwriter Corporate Financial Lines Michael Ussher will replace him in WA.

The Singapore business will focus on mid-market financial products such as professional indemnity and directors’ and officers’ liability, and through a strategic partnership with MSIG Insurance, part of the giant Mitsui Sumitomo group, will use its distribution platform of brokers, agency and bancassurance as well as direct.

Dual’s Hong Kong business already operates through a strategic partnership with MSIG.

Dual Hong Kong Manager Philip Chiu has led the Singapore expansion and is responsible for development in Asia.

“Singapore is an important market for the group, as the hub for many of the exciting emerging markets in southeast Asia,” Dual International CEO Damien Coates said.

“The combination of MSIG’s strong distribution network and Dual’s specialist product expertise gives us an exceptional platform.”

Outgoing Zurich Australia CEO Shane Doyle was recently appointed Dual International’s Deputy CEO.