Nick Kirk, former Canopius head of financial and professional lines, has joined Munich Re Syndicate as financial lines underwriting manager.
He will be responsible for strengthening the financial lines offering at the syndicate.
In a statement to this publication CUO Dominick Hoare said that Kirk’s “skill and expertise will ensure leadership and profitable development”.
Kirk was head of casualty and finpro at Canopius. However, he left the business after its surprise retreat from London-based open market professional indemnity (PI) and financial institutions (FI) business last year.
Kirk had underwritten FI business at Canopius since 1994 and became head of its FI unit in 2012 after Canopius’ founder member, Chris Head, retired.
Kirk’s appointment reflects Munich Re Syndicate’s targeted expansion in select specialty lines.
Traditionally a marine specialist, Syndicate 457 has in recent years added cover including a cyber product for small and medium-sized oil and gas companies, political risk and trade credit.
Munich Re Syndicate last week emerged as the first Lloyd’s participant expected to launch a syndicate in a box, which is one of the cornerstones of Lloyd’s CEO John Neal’s modernisation and revival programme for the market.
Munich Re Innovation Syndicate will begin underwriting next year, with Stuart Newcombe, currently head of underwriting development at Syndicate 457, lined up as active underwriter.