Canopius Group, the London-based global specialty re/insurer, has appointed Neil Robertson as group chief executive officer. Part of his focus will be on developing the company’s Asia-Pacific, Bermudian and U.S. operations while continuing to build its reputation as a leading London specialty re/insurer.

He replaces Michael Watson, who will continue as group chairman.

Robertson joined Canopius as deputy group CEO in 2021. He came from AXA XL, where he most recently served as CEO, Global Specialty. Previously, he served as CEO of Insurance Underwriting for XL Catlin and spent seven years as CEO of XL Group’s Lloyd’s Managing Agency.

“After leading Canopius for 20 years, it is now the right time to empower the next generation of leadership for the group,” said Watson. “Recent months have shown Neil’s exceptional talents as a motivational leader and a builder of effective teams, which will help propel us to the next level.”

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance has named Elisa Zurlini as head of Transactional Liability Claims.

Zurlini comes to BHSI with 15 years of transactional liability claims experience at AIG, where she was most recently assistant VP, Financial Institutions/M&A Group. Prior to AIG, she was New York managing partner at Donovan Hatem LLP and a practicing litigation and trial attorney for more than a decade.

She will be based in New York.

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Specialty insurer and reinsurer Brit Ltd has appointed Bilge Mert as chief technology officer.

Mert joins from InsurTech iptiQ, Swiss Re’s startup, where she most recently held the position of senior director and member of the executive committee. Prior to joining iptiQ in 2019, she previously worked at British American Tobacco, Mondelez and Accenture UK.

She will report to Sheel Sawhney, group head of Claims and Operations at Brit.

“Brit continues to fully embrace the power of automation, machine learning, data and technology with a view to enhance and transform how we underwrite, service claims and improve customers’ experience. Bilge brings a strong blend of experience from both within and outside the insurance industry, and her appointment will enable us to continue in this mission, applying the latest innovations, approaches, and technology to how we write risk,” Sawhey said.

Brit is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.