BMS lures Cooper Gay reinsurance head

Re/insurance broker BMS Group has launched a specialty reinsurance division with the appointment of Andrew Hitchings as managing director.

The new division will initially focus on the addition of new product lines to BMS’ existing property and casualty offering, in both reinsurance and retrocession.

Hitchings joins BMS from Cooper Gay and will report to Nick Cook, chief executive officer (CEO).

He joined Cooper Gay in 2003 and became managing director of the company’s reinsurance division in 2007, later assuming responsibility for all classes of reinsurance worldwide as CEO. In this role, he assisted in the creation and development of a global treaty portfolio.

Cook said: “We see enormous potential in our specialty reinsurance business. The continued consolidation in the reinsurance market presents BMS with a unique opportunity of offering our clients an independent choice. Andrew will bring with him expertise and leadership in the Specialty reinsurance space. London is still the centre of excellence for specialty reinsurance and Andrew's appointment confirms our commitment to this growing sector.”

Hitchings added: “I am delighted to be joining BMS, whose prominence as an independent and innovative broker provides the perfect platform to create and grow a market leading specialty reinsurance division.”