ACE Group announced today that it has established a new business region, Eurasia & Africa, as part of its Overseas General division—the general insurance operations of the company outside North America.

The new region includes ACE’s existing operations in Russia, Turkey, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Tunisia and South Africa. In the future, it will encompass expansion in a broad swath of territory that stretches from the Black Sea to the Middle East to the African continent.

With regional headquarters will be based initially in London and will be led by Giles Ward, who has been appointed Regional President, Eurasia & Africa, effective April 15.

Ward, who is currently Country President for ACE in Australia and New Zealand, will be responsible for the management and business development of ACE’s commercial property and casualty, accident and health and personal lines operations in the region. He will report to John Keogh, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, ACE Limited, and Chairman, Insurance–Overseas General.

Ward joined ACE in 2006 to lead the company’s business in the Middle East and North Africa after 17 years in the insurance industry. In 2010 he was appointed to his current role as Country President of Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to joining ACE, Ward held various country and senior leadership positions for AXA Insurance in Malaysia, and for Guardian Insurance in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Source: ACE Group