New Zealand-based specialist liability underwriter Delta Insurance has restructured its management team as it looks to expand its Asia-Pacific business.

Current NZ CEO Craig Kirk has been appointed to the new role of Director for Underwriting Operations for the wider group, while Dinesh Murali takes over leadership of Delta Insurance NZ.

Mr Murali, previously Underwriting Manager, also joins the Delta NZ board along with Group Claims Manager Petra Lucioli.

Delta Group MD Ian Pollard says Mr Kirk’s appointment to the new role comes as the business, which started seven years ago, sees very strong prospects for expansion.

“This appointment will free Craig up to spend time on our Asia-Pacific business opportunities and to focus on what needs to be done across the group to achieve the growth we see possible,” he said.

Mr Kirk has more than 20 years’ experience underwriting and managing financial lines and casualty portfolios in jurisdictions including Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe. Previously he has held roles with insurers including AIG and Lumley.

The latest changes follow the March appointment of Kent Chaplin to the new role of COO.

Mr Pollard says the company will spend the next couple of months refining its expansion plans, with further announcements likely mid-way through the year.