The Aon Benfield Hazard Research Centre at University College London has appointed David Middleton, the former CEO of New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission (EQC), as visiting professor.

The centre is Europe’s leading multidisciplinary academic hazard research centre, studying geological and meteorological hazards, forecasting and disaster studies and management.

Professor Middleton, who stepped down from the EQC at the end of last year, is an expert in pool schemes, reinsurance and disaster response. He also worked in the life and general insurance sectors before joining the EQC more than 17 years ago.