The Ace Group of companies has announced the appointment of Derek Talbott as executive vice-president of international property.

In his new role, he will be based in London and responsible for the management and performance of Ace's international property insurance business in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Mr. Talbott will report to John Keogh, CEO of Ace's overseas general operations, replacing Paul McNamee, who will take charge of the company's North American property business.

Mr. Talbott joins Ace from Aon Benfield, where he had been senior vice-president and head of global clients and global products for Aon Benfield Fac based in New York and Boston since 2006. Prior to Aon, Mr. Talbott held a number of senior global property assignments with American International Group in Boston, London and Asia, including regional property manager and regional commercial lines manager for AIU in Hong Kong from 2001 to 2003.