Talbot Underwriting Australia has appointed former Axis Specialty Australia state managers David McKenzie and David Jones as class underwriters and national managers of financial lines.

MD Adam Matteson says the pair have “deep expertise” in the financial lines sector and will establish a presence for Talbot’s financial lines business in Australia.

Mr McKenzie was previously Queensland manager for Axis Specialty Australia, while Mr Jones was Victoria manager.

They will open new Talbot offices in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively.

Axis decided last October to place its Australian retail operation into run-off and maintain contact with its large local clients from its London office.

Mr Mattheson says that as Talbot expands its platform in Australia, “it is imperative that we bring in talented individuals with deep expertise in Australia’s financial lines sector”.