Global speciality insurer StarStone has created an underwriting facility for Australia and New Zealand, it has been announced.
StarStone Australia will be led by Robin Barham, and will be based in Sydney where it will target speciality business from Australia and New Zealand on behalf of Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301.
The new hub will operate alongside its parent company Enstar’s existing Australian operation, subject to regulatory approval.
Through Syndicate 1301, StarStone will offer a range of niche marine, property, casualty and specialty products for small and middle market to multinational accounts, and the new operation will provide direct access to those classes for brokers in the Australasian region, the company said.
Demian Smith, StarStone International’s CEO, said offering products locally in the Asia-Pacific region was key to their growth strategy.
“Our majority parent, Enstar, has had a presence in the Australasian market since 2008, and the opening of an underwriting operation signals our continued commitment to the region and to supporting Lloyd’s in pursuing its 2025 vision.”
Smith spoke highly of Barham, who has previously worked at Arch, Catlin and Lloyd’s in London.
“Robin brings with him an impressive network of relationships, and has the business-building experience and technical expertise to help bolster StarStone’s capabilities in Australia.”
Barham joins StarStone with 28 years of insurance experience, and has underwriting and management experience across a broad range of classes.
Most recently, he led the Arch Syndicate’s operation in Australia as its regional director, and set up a digital underwriting agency, Agile Underwriting Services.
Barham said: “Australia is a highly sophisticated and mature market, with a wealth of talented underwriters. We see exciting opportunities to increase the depth of StarStone’s current product offerings and to provide a tailored local service to existing and future clients.”
Agile Underwriting Services was awarded as the Most Innovative Insurance Companies in New Zealand. Get to know the other winners by reading the 5-Star Insurance Innovators 2023 IB's special report.
