Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) Australia and New Zealand continues to attract top-level managers, with several more making the jump from established insurers.

The latest high-profile recruit is new COO and CFO Frank Costigan, who was formerly CFO of IAG Direct.

Other recent recruits are former Zurich financial lines claims manager Susan Donaldson as Head of Claims; former HDI-Gerling Australasia senior property underwriter power and energy Daniel Cole as Head of Mining, Energy and Power; and several other specialists from the HDI-Gerling marine operation.

BHSI Australasia President Chris Colahan told insuranceNEWS.com.au the new company continues to work towards the granting of its operating licence from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, and is already planning events to bring the company into focus with key brokers.

BHSI’s New Zealand team is now “substantially complete”, with Vero Special Risks property manager Doug Thompson joining as Head of Property. Vero Special Risks senior underwriter Nikki Quain and Dual NZ directors’ & officers’ underwriter Karen Poching have also joined.

BHSI Australia will begin operations in property, casualty, financial lines and marine cargo.

Its start-up strategy appears to be consistent with the approach taken in building the company’s US operation, where an introductory suite of basic products was followed later by a much wider range of offerings.