Former Willis Re executive Michael Harden has joined Guy Carpenter as President of Asia Pacific, based in Sydney.

Mr Harden was most recently Willis Re Asia Pacific President and has held positions in the UK, Bermuda and Australia during a long career in insurance. His other roles have included Willis Re Australia CEO.

“We are very excited to welcome Michael to Guy Carpenter at a time of significant evolution in the market,” Asia Pacific CEO Tony Gallagher said.

“With over four decades of global operating experience in (re)insurance, handling specialty accounts as well as long-standing industry relationships in the Asia Pacific region, he will certainly add further depth to our already strong presence in the market.”

Last month Mr Harden won a court battle with Willis after it sought to impose a restraint period that would have extended to the middle of next year.

Mr Harden resigned from Willis in June last year, giving 12 months’ notice, due to the announcement of Aon’s proposed takeover of the company.

NSW Supreme Court Justice John Sackar said in a decision handed down on July 30 that a two-year restraint period would have been unreasonable in the circumstances.