Canopius Group has appointed Singapore-based Mark Houghton to the newly created role of global product leader specialty, effective from October.

Mr Houghton joins from Axa, where he led the political risk team for more than a decade before being appointed head of specialty in Asia.

He will oversee Canopius’ specialty underwriting and be responsible for product innovation and establishing risk appetite for specialty lines globally.

Mr Houghton will report to London-based group chief underwriting officer Sam Harrison, who says 2023 was a record year for Canopius.

“To realise our continued growth ambitions, we’re expanding our global underwriting structure to help us innovate and develop products in line with our strategic objectives and risk appetite,” Mr Harrison said.  

"Having someone responsible for product innovation and development globally from our base in Singapore reflects our growing footprint across the world. Mark is perfectly suited to this new role.”  

This year, Canopius has appointed Robert Barnum as underwriter for professional lines in Australia and Asia-Pacific, Soon Keen Lee as CEO for Asia-Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Jesse DeCouto as chief underwriting officer, Tonia Morgan as Canopius Reinsurance CFO, and Uwe Schoberth and Matthew Crane as heads of distribution in the US and UK respectively.

Andy Haste takes the role of group chairman next month.