HDI Global SE has made senior appointments within the insurer’s UK & Ireland branch, aimed at reinforcing its underwriting and distribution capabilities and driving ambitious growth plans.
Antonia Osborne (pictured left) has been tapped for the role of director of underwriting. Reporting to managing director Stephanie Ogden, she will be in charge of underwriting performance, future strategies, and ensuring alignment between HDI’s offerings and the needs of clients and brokers.
Osborne joins HDI from Chubb Global Markets where she served as head of underwriting operations and governance. She was also a founding member of the Apollo Syndicate and has an extensive background in the Lloyd’s London Market.
With Osborne’s appointment, all underwriting lines of business will now report directly to her. Previously, Ogden was overseeing these responsibilities following her promotion from underwriting & distribution director.
Additionally, HDI has announced the appointment of Philip Smith (pictured right) as the new lead cyber underwriter. In this role, he will spearhead the growth and development of the cyber insurance product line.
Smith was previously the cyber & technology practice leader for Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia at Chubb. He had also spent seven years with HDI in Australia, gaining extensive experience across various underwriting roles. He will work closely with Osborne and report directly to her.
“I am delighted to announce these key market appointments and to have in place a team that is well placed to tackle the challenges and opportunities the industry, our clients, and our brokers face in the coming months and years,” said Ogden, whose camp also recently welcomed James Medlicott and Regan Shaw, who joined the liability and distribution teams, respectively, in the summer.
“Antonia brings with her a wealth of experience, and I am excited to see how we can continue to improve outcomes for brokers and clients with her in this important new role. With Philip joining to lead our cyber practice in the UK, I am confident that our proposition, across both HDI Global and HDI Global Specialty, will continue to fulfil the needs of our clients, both existing and new.”
Ogden added: “All of these appointments are a clear signal to the market, clients, and brokers that HDI is committed to making investments in people that will help us deliver on our ambitions to be the leading insurer for industrial businesses.”
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