Talbot Underwriting Australia MD Adam Matteson has left the company suddenly.

It is understood Head of Underwriting Steve Ward is acting in the MD role until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Neither Mr Matteson nor Mr Ward were available to speak to insuranceNEWS.com.au on the matter, but reliable sources say the termination of Mr Matteson’s services was “totally unexpected”.

London-based sources have told insuranceNEWS.com.au that despite the removal of Mr Matteson, the company “remains committed to the region and the Australian market”.

They say Talbot has strong growth plans for the region, “which definitely include Australia”.

The company is believed to be planning to move additional property underwriting resources to the Sydney office from Singapore.

Talbot is a subsidiary of Bermuda holding company Validus Holdings and focuses on a range of specialty risks.

Mr Matteson established rival underwriter Arch in Australia before moving to Talbot in November 2014 to set up its local operation.

It began operating with an Australian licence in April last year.

Talbot already had a presence in the Australian market, writing business from its Lloyd’s Syndicate 1183 in Singapore, but said it “wanted to get closer to the local market”.

Mr Ward joined the company last October from XL Catlin.