Sompo International Holdings Ltd. appointed some of its rising executives to a new team that will sell small business insurance products in the U.S. and Mexico. A former Zurich executive is joining AXA XL to help fill out its Property Insurance team in Canada.

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Sompo International Holdings Ltd., said it formed a new Sompo Global Risk Solutions team to sell insurance products to smaller businesses in the U.S. and Mexico.

The Bermuda-based specialty provider of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance said the creation of the Sompo GRS Small Business team expands its risk appetite to include smaller companies in the real estate, hospitality, financial institutions, professional services and life sciences industries. The team will offer a full selection of coverages, including package, property, auto, general liability, workers’ compensation, umbrella and environmental.

Matt Burns, senior vice president, Middle Market Leader for Sompo GRS, will take on the additional responsibility of having oversight of the Small Business team. Marnie Shore, vice president, will lead the development of the Sompo GRS Small Business platform and co-lead the team’s distribution efforts along with Roberto Robles, vice president, Business Development.

Sompo GRS works through a network of retail brokers to offer comprehensive multi-line capabilities through cross-disciplinary teams of underwriting, claims and risk control specialists focused on select industry verticals. Sompo GRS also serves Asian clients with operations in the United States and Mexico.

Sompo GRS defines small businesses as companies with less than $100,000 in total account premium.

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AXA XL said it has added Jennifer Arezes to its Property Insurance team in Canada.

Arezes is based in Toronto and will work alongside Ian Rutherford, Head of Property, Canada and Urs Uhlmann, CEO and Country Manager AXA XL, Canada to grow AXA XL’s Property & Casualty Large Property business nationally.

In this new role, Arezes will be responsible for developing and structuring tailor-made risk products and services to win new business and retain existing customers with particular focus on Canadian clients with global exposures.

Previously, Arezes was with Zurich where she most recently led the Commercial Property Insurance business. She brings more than 15 years of industry experience focusing on property underwriting across a wide range of business lines.

Sources: Sompo International Holdings Ltd., AXA XL