HDI Global Specialty SE has recruited Jamie Bowes from QBE as Head of Aviation to spearhead its bid to become a major player in the aviation business.

He will oversee the new Melbourne-based Aviation team, which is expected to increase in headcount as the portfolio expands.

“We are extremely pleased that we could get [him] to head up our new aviation venture,” Head of Branch Mark Fleiser says.

“He has an excellent background in this market, and we look forward to leveraging his market knowledge and connections. We hope to launch our offering as soon as possible.”

HDI Global Specialty is a joint venture set up last year by Hannover Re and HDI Global SE. It began operations in Australia in January and will write agency and specialty business in lines such as errors and omissions, directors’ and officers’, legal expenses, sports and entertainment, aviation, offshore energy and animal insurance.

Mr Bowes was with QBE Insurance for 10 years before joining the specialty lines insurer.

He started in 2009 with QBE as international aviation underwriter and later became international aviation manager in 2018 until he took up the job offer from HDI Global Specialty in the past month.

His recruitment underscores the insurer’s ambitions to replicate its aviation success in Europe.

“By setting up a new team for General Aviation in Australia, HDI Global Specialty SE takes another step to maximise the opportunities that exist within specialty lines,” CEO Ralph Beutter said.

“Getting such a highly regarded market leader as [Mr Bowes] on board gives me comfort that Melbourne will be another successful hub in our aviation line of business.”