Bermuda-based reinsurer Validus Holdings Ltd. has opened a European reinsurance representative office in Hamburg, Germany.

The new office will represent Validus Re, the Bermuda-based reinsurance operating subsidiary, which focuses on short-tail classes of business, including property, marine, and other specialty.

The office will be headed by Maureen MacDonald, who has joined Validus Re as European representative. Ms MacDonald has approximately 20 years of insurance and reinsurance industry experience, most recently serving as executive director at Aon Re Germany. Conan Ward, chief underwriting officer of Validus Re, said: "The addition of the Hamburg representative office demonstrates our continued commitment to exceptional customer service. The office will give us a local presence to better serve our growing European customer base as we continue to expand our presence in the region."