JLT Specialty USA hired a new executive as its vice president, Global Service Team. Specialist insurer Markel International brought on a new Singapore-based political risk underwriter. Assurant, a specialty insurer focused on niche-market insurance products named an executive to the newly-created role of P&C growth and innovation leader, and commercial lines business development executive.

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JLT Specialty USA appointed Rupal Patel as vice president, Global Service Team.

Patel, to be based in New York, will be an international specialist focused on supporting JLT’s existing clients and new business opportunities requiring global servicing expertise and international insurance program management and placement. JLT said Patel’s hiring continues its growth strategy and expansion plans in the U.S. regarding global specialty practices.

Previously, Patel was with Chrystal & Company as International Practice Leader. Before that, she was International Property & Casualty underwriter for Zurich North America.

JLT Specialty USA is a U.S. subsidiary of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc.

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Specialist insurer Markel International hired Alex Holcroft as a political risk underwriter to be based in Singapore.

Holcroft will be part of the trade credit and political risk team serving the Asia Pacific region and report to Nicola Marriage, senior underwriter in London.

In his new job, Holcroft will be tasked with expanding Markel’s political risk and structured trade credit business, leveraging on opportunities stemming from a diversified broker and client base, and providing regional capabilities that will broaden Markel’s political risk offering.

Holcroft was most recently at Sompo Canopius where he was an underwriter in the political risk and structured trade credit team. He was also a Lloyd’s graduate trainee at one point.

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Assurant, a specialty insurer focused on niche-market insurance products, hired Barbara Bufkin for the newly-created role of P&C growth and innovation leader, and commercial lines business development executive.

Bufkin, in her new role, will be joining Assurant’s Lending Solutions growth and innovation team, where she’ll handle developing commercial lines growth strategies, originating and fostering strategic partnerships and creating innovative products.

Bufkin has nearly 40 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry, through leadership roles at companies including Argo International, Guy Carpenter & Company and Hamilton USA.

Sources: JLT Specialty USA, Markel, Assurant