Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG announced they have appointed Denis Burniston senior vice president, general casualty for Allied World Europe.

His role will be to lead the company’s primary casualty operation in London.

Mr. Burniston will be responsible for developing Allied World Europe’s primary casualty book of business, which includes primary public liability, products liability and UK employers’ liability.

Allied World, which is a global provider of innovative property, casualty and specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions, stated in a press release: “This appointment complements the company’s European growth strategy and investment in servicing the UK primary commercial retail marketplace. Specifically, Mr. Burniston is charged with growing the company’s book of primary liability business in both the construction and commercial insurance space, which will further complement Allied World’s existing capability to write primary casualty, primary property and primary professional lines products.”

Julian James, president of Allied World Europe, commented: “We are pleased to announce that Denis has joined the Allied World team. He has a demonstrated track record of building and managing a complex portfolio of primary casualty business. This is another step in our ongoing strategy to expand our European business by extending capabilities in a number of different areas.

“We have made great strides in enhancing our primary casualty offering for UK commercial clients, and Denis’s arrival will further increase our expertise across a complex portfolio of primary public products and employer’s liability risks.”

Anthony Kashuba, senior vice president, general casualty, said: “Denis has unique technical knowledge and a deep understanding of the primary marketplace. His ability to introduce and manage new products within the area is an important element of both our European general casualty growth strategy, and our overall platform strategy.”

Mr. Burniston has nearly 40 years of experience within the insurance industry, most recently as chief underwriting officer UK/Ireland/Middle Markets at XL Insurance UK Ltd since 2007.

He began his career at Bain Dawes as a casualty broker in 1975 and served in a succession of underwriting and management roles with AIG UK Ltd from 1981 to 1986, served as senior underwriter and director of UK liability at QBE Lloyd’s Managing Agency — Syndicate 386 from 1986 to 2002, and worked as active underwriter of Illium/HCC Syndicate 4040 from 2003 to 2007.