Liberty lures financial risks exec from Zurich

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), in conjunction with Liberty International Underwriters Asia Pacific (LIU), has appointed Andrew Beechey, formerly of Zurich, as its new head of global financial risks for the Asia-Pacific region.

After a short period in Liberty Specialty’s headquarters in London, he will relocate to Singapore in September, where he will be based permanently.

Beechey joins from Zurich where he worked for nine years, most recently as the deputy head of the London credit and political risk team.

Prior to this, he spent ten years in the credit and political risk division of broker Marsh, based in both the US and UK.

Taking up his new role with immediate effect, he will report to Peter Sprent, LSM’s head of global financial risks, and Ben Hissey, senior vice president and regional leader of LIU Asia.

He will lead the development of the joint LSM/LIU global financial risks offering in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific market.

Matthew Moore, chief underwriting officer, specialty and reinsurance for LSM, said: “Andrew’s appointment reflects the continuing growth of our global financial risks business. This has been a very successful book for us, hence the desire to build a strong base in the Asia-Pacific region, where we see considerable potential.”

Hissey added: “Andrew’s leadership and involvement in the global financial risks business in Asia will add considerable value to LIU’s overall product offering in the region. This appointment underscores our global product ambitions and further strengthens the relationships and experience that the LIU operations have on the ground in Asia Pacific.

“His substantial experience and knowledge of the global credit and political risk market make him an exciting addition to our team.”