Axis has appointed Damien Leembruggen as National Property Manager, based in Melbourne.

He will report to Australian CEO David Smith.

Mr Leembruggen has spent the past 14 years in underwriting and business development roles with commercial property insurer FM Global.

He replaces Brendan Walsh, who will move to Chicago to become Senior VP Property Risk Management.

Mr Walsh’s “diligent and pragmatic approach to underwriting and leadership” has helped him build a national team of high-calibre underwriters and drive “impressive growth in the book since inception”, Axis says.