Canopius Group Ltd., a global specialty reinsurer, is pursuing U.S. expansion in the direct property sector, and it brought on an Ironshore veteran to get the job done.

The company, owned by Japanese casualty insurance giant Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdings, said it has appointed Bradley Winfield as head of U.S. Direct Property to help lead the company’s growth strategy in this area. Winfield most recently was senior vice president, head of U.S. Retail Property for Ironshore and is a 15-year insurance industry veteran, Canopius said.

He’ll report to Derek Hanson, global head of Direct & Facultative Property for Canopius.

The new U.S. Direct Property operation, to be based in New York, is designed to complement the D&F account in London, as well as the high excess property business written by sister company Sompo Japan Nipponkoa of America, in North Carolina.

As well, Canopius writes facultative property insurance in New York, by way of its Canopius Underwriting Agency.

Canopius announced in September that it would expand its U.S. operations, initially with the launch of the Canopius Underwriting Agency, in order to give it a broader U.S. footprint and product range.

Source: Canopius Group Ltd.