HDI Global Specialty SE has appointed Mark Fleiser as MD of its Australian branch following growth in the local operation.

Mr Fleiser was most recently GM of the Australian business, which has become a significant contributor to the specialty insurer’s overall performance, the company says. He has been with Talanx Group, the Hannover-based HDI Global parent company, since 2009.

HDI Global Specialty SE CEO Ralph Beutter says Mr Fleiser has been synonymous with the businesses’ presence in the Australian market since the inception of its branch office in Sydney.

“With an expanding footprint across Australia and a portfolio that is growing strongly on the back of our wide mandate for specialty business, I am confident and pleased [he] will, with his expanded responsibilities, continue to lead our dedicated team in providing quality security to our valued clients in the region,” Mr Beutter said.

HDI Global SE at the end of last year took full ownership of the specialty business and the two operations have this year moved into a new Sydney office.

HDI Global Asia Pacific Head and Australia MD Stefan Feldmann says Mr Fleiser’s appointment represents “an important part of our HDI growth story”.

“Now we enjoy our shared office at 20 Martin Place in Sydney, both our HDI Global SE and HDI Global Specialty SE operations are well positioned to continue to service our valued broker partners and clients across Australia and the Asia Pacific,” Mr Feldmann told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Mr Fleiser, whose promotion is effectively immediately, says the Australian business continues to be well positioned to provide products, services and strong security to the specialty segments of the local market.

“In my new role I plan to strive for even greater success delivering on the company’s strategic plans,” he said.

HDI Global SE has moved to strengthen its operations in Australia and regionally with the appointment in February of Mr Feldmann to the new position of Head of HDI Global Asia Pacific, in addition to his Australian role.

Following his appointment, the existing management of HDI Global’s operations in Hong Kong and Singapore are now under the new regional Asia Pacific leadership structure together with HDI Global SE Australia.