UK-headquartered (re)insurer MS Amlin – which offers property, casualty, and specialty covers – is set to establish a local branch in Australia, expanding its reinsurance operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The new office in Sydney, pending Lloyd’s approval, will operate under MS Amlin Pacific Pte Ltd and be led by newly appointed regional executive Matt Botfield (pictured), who will be responsible for business development and market engagement across Australia and New Zealand.
The move comes as global factors are influencing reinsurance and insurance market conditions. McKinsey’s Global Insurance Report 2025 highlighted growing pressures on property and casualty insurers, driven by rising costs, increased catastrophe exposures, and evolving customer demands.
The report underscored the growing importance of innovation in response to demographic trends, shifts in household structures, and the adoption of technologies such as AI and electric vehicles. These changes are prompting insurers to rethink how they price risk, structure products, and deliver services.
The Sydney branch is expected to provide MS Amlin with direct market access, enhance support for existing clients, and deepen relationships with regional brokers.
Will Ho, CEO of MS Amlin Asia Pacific, said the decision to establish a presence in Australia aligns with the (re)insurer’s objective to strengthen its position in markets where it sees continued opportunity for growth.
“We’re excited to expand our presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with the launch of a dedicated branch in Australia, where we see significant untapped potential. Matt’s appointment highlights our ambition to grow in this dynamic region and secure new high quality business, including domestic risks that typically wouldn’t come into Lloyd’s,” he said.
Botfield brings extensive experience to the role, having served most recently as chief operating officer for Greater China at Aon Reinsurance and CEO of Alternate Insurance Authority Hong Kong.
His earlier career includes senior positions at Aon Benfield focused on the Australian and New Zealand property sectors.
“With his extensive local market knowledge and well-established relationships, Matt will play a key role in helping us capture these opportunities in Australia and New Zealand,” Ho said. “We look forward to leveraging the full strength of MS Amlin’s underwriting and claims expertise to support the market’s growing reinsurance needs.”
