Ironshore launches in New Zealand

Bermuda-based Ironshore International has unveiled the launch of a New Zealand office.

The office, based in Auckland, will operate as a branch of Ironshore Australia, led by Katherine Simmonds, managing director of Sydney-based Ironshore.

Additionally, Robert Solloway has been named Asia-Pacific regional manager, agriculture, serving in the New Zealand office.

Solloway joins Ironshore from reinsurance underwriter, Novae, as part of the global agriculture team that recently merged with Ironshore’s existing specialty agribusiness group under the direction of Catherine Besselman, global divisional director.

In October 2015, Ironshore acquired the reinsurance renewal rights to Novae Group’s global agriculture reinsurance portfolio.

Mark Wheeler, chief executive officer, Ironshore International, said: “Ironshore’s expansion into New Zealand complements our global distribution platform and further builds upon our foundation for growth opportunities in selected specialty sectors within the Asia Pacific region.”

Simmonds added: “We welcome Rob to the team as his expertise will enable Ironshore to realise greater diversity in offering specialty lines products throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia.”