Lloyd’s coverholder Talbot Underwriting Australia has recruited XL Catlin underwriters Steve Ward and Hamish McKay to form its new crisis management practice.

Mr Ward joins as Senior Class Underwriter. He was previously specialty underwriting manager at XL Catlin, and before last year’s acquisition by XL, he was marketing manager and crisis management underwriting manager at Catlin.

Before joining Catlin in 2009 Mr Ward held several management positions at AIG, including GM NSW, GM Queensland and regional VP crisis management for the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr McKay joins Talbot Underwriting as Class Underwriter. He was previously crisis management underwriter at XL Catlin.

Before joining Catlin last year Mr McKay was an Auckland-based underwriter with QBE.

Talbot Underwriting Australia MD Adam Matteson says the new recruits are “two of the top market specialists in crisis management [with] deep experience in the provision of cover around product recall and other specialised products”.

Bermuda-based Talbot has operated in Australia since April.

It works within the Lloyd’s market through Singapore-based Syndicate 1183, which focuses on specialty risks such as marine, aviation, transport, energy, terrorism, political risk, accident and health, construction, contingency, financial institutions, property and treaty reinsurance.

Mr Matteson says crisis management is a “growing and important market”.

Mr Ward and Mr McKay, who will be based in Sydney, will have a regional role. “They will also support the growth of our platform in Singapore,” Mr Matteson told insuranceNEWS.com.au.