QBE International swoops on Swiss Re to expand in Latin America

Re/insurer  QBE’s international markets division has ramped up its focus on Latin American opportunities with additions to its regional team from Miami.

Juan David Mejia has joined as vice president of property underwriting and will be based in QBE International’s regional Latin American hub in Miami. He joins from Swiss Re where he was senior property underwriter, Latin America. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the Latin American insurance market.

In his new role, David will develop and manage the property portfolio underwritten by QBE’s International Markets division in the region, reporting to Alfonso De Mares, head of Miami, QBE International Markets.

Adding to the team, Maria Amalia Cruz has been appointed LatAm senior claims specialist in the Miami office. She joins from Steller Public Adjusting Services where she was property and casualty claims adjuster. In her new role, Amalia Cruz will also report to De Mares.

Finally, Paula Mackenzie, portfolio manager for LatAm casualty for QBE International Markets will be relocated from the London office to Houston to bring her wealth of experience closer to the region.

De Mares said: “We have seen increased opportunities for growth in Latin America. As such, we are focusing on getting closer to our customers and continuing to expand on product offerings as we continue to see opportunities in the region to grow and diversify the portfolio. The newly expanded team is just the beginning of our push for strategic growth in this region.”

He added: “Our new team members join Luis Abrahams, VP Marine Underwriter, and Francisco Bunge, Sr Underwriting Operations focusing on Casualty in the Miami office, working in close collaboration with Carlos Ortega, Underwriter for International Casualty, based in London.”

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