Max Capital Group Ltd. has announced that its US-based excess and surplus (E&S) lines subsidiary Max Specialty Insurance Co. will underwrite professional liability business.

Edward Neuberger, a professional liability underwriter with a record of profitability and more than 35 years of experience, has been hired as vice-president of professional liability to lead the new business unit which is headquartered in Richmond Virginia.

Marston Becker, chairman and CEO of Max Capital Group, said: "We anticipate that he (Mr. Neuberger) will quickly build an effective underwriting team and a significant book of business, primarily focused on small-to-medium Errors and Omissions accounts, which will complement, rather than compete with, the larger-account professional liability businesses of Max Bermuda and Max Europe."

Mr. Neuberger previously worked as division manager of professional liability at James River Insurance Co. and also held positions at Lexington, Zurich, and CIGNA.

IPC Holdings Ltd. shareholders rejected a merger with Max at their annual general meeting two weeks ago.