Canopius Group is expanding its Australia and New Zealand reinsurance offering with Andrew Parker, previously at Aspen Re, appointed to lead a new local team.

Mr Parker, who has more than 30 years’ experience, has this week started as the Sydney-based Head of Treaty, Australia and New Zealand, and Head of Casualty Treaty, Asia Pacific.

The speciality insurer and reinsurer has named Paul Wedlock as Head of Property Treaty, Australia and New Zealand effective immediately, while the team will also include Casualty Treaty Underwriter Peter Mattei and Office Manager Liza Aparicio, all formerly at Aspen, according to LinkedIn.

“Andrew, Paul and the team bring deep expertise to Canopius,” Deputy CUO and Head of Reinsurance APAC Natt Wattanaumphaipong said.

“Their proven track record in managing complex reinsurance portfolios has earned them their highly respected reputations in the market. I am pleased to welcome all four to the business and look forward to working with them as we pursue ambitious plans for profitable growth.”

Mr Parker was most recently Head of Australia and New Zealand at Aspen Re and has previously worked at Hannover Re, Employers Reinsurance Corp and with insurers including Allianz.

Mr Wedlock was Head of Property, Australia and New Zealand at Aspen Re and has previously worked at Swiss Re and Munich Re. Mr Mattei brings more than 12 years’ experience in pricing across a breadth of reinsurance classes in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Wattanaumphaipong says the Asia Pacific region has been a focus for the reinsurance business as part of wider Canopius Group growth plans.

“We’ve been expanding and growing the team, growing the business across the region successfully over the past four or five years and Australia has always been a central part of that conversation,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au today.

Canopius has in recent years provided reinsurance to the local market from London, with oversight from the Singapore office. The local presence is expected to build on that footprint and drive additional treaty reinsurance growth.

“We know our industry operates very much in a global market, but from many years’ experience, we know that clients very much appreciate dealing with local people who have a deep knowledge of the market and business histories,” Mr Parker tells insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Clients also appreciate a holistic view and the team will look to participate across reinsurance programs, while a relatively flat structure at Canopius is an advantage in assisting clients, he says.

“When we come across those more complex accounts, that enables us to be more nimble and agile and to be able to come up with a decision very quickly,” he says.

UK-based Canopius says Australia is a key strategic hub for continued Asia Pacific growth. The company has hired six new team members here since February and has recently also opened a Melbourne office.