Mike Hammond has been appointed CEO of the international division of US broker Lockton – Lockton Companies LLP – following the departure of Julian James.

Mr James left his position as head of Lockton Companies LLP at the end of last year, and was recently announced as President of Bermudian (re)insurer Allied World’s European platform.

A former CEO of both JLT and Marsh in the UK, Mr Hammond joined Lockton in 2006 following its acquisition of UK broker Alexander Forbes, and subsequently became Chairman of Lockton’s international division, which covers its UK, Ireland, Asia and Latin America operations.

Lockton has also strengthened its reinsurance operations with the appointment of a number of senior level hires in London and New York.

The company says the new recruits will further expand Lockton Re as well as broadening its specialty casualty expertise.