QBE North America has launched a new Specialty Casualty business that will offer admitted and non-admitted primary, lead umbrella and excess liability products, targeting a wide range of business segments.

“With QBE Specialty Casualty, we see a clear opportunity to build a long-term franchise that is grounded in expert underwriting with a data-driven approach to meet the unique needs of customers,” said Tom Fitzgerald, president of Specialty & Commercial insurance at QBE North America, in a statement. “It will allow us to deepen our relationships with our limited and preferred network of brokers while we further improve the balance and synergies in our diversified business portfolio.”

The new business unit will be led by:

• Karen London, president, Specialty Casualty
• Mike Foley, chief underwriting officer, Specialty Casualty
• Morgan Wichmann, head of Casualty non-Construction
• Craig Freid, head of Casualty Construction

All four have decades of experience in the Specialty Casualty market with a heavy focus on complex and hard-to-place risks. Prior to joining QBE, they held leadership positions at Berkshire Hathaway.

“Our team has an unmatched reputation, and we are confident they will build the industry’s leading Specialty Casualty business,” said Fitzgerald. “We’re excited to have them on board and look forward to their contributions to QBE North America.”