Bermuda-based Catlin Group has appointed Michael Maran as its chief science officer based in London.Mr Maran has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and has been leading Catlin’s space insurance activity for the past decade.In a statement, the company said that Mr Maran will “work with Catlin underwriters, risk modellers, actuaries and other employees to improve Catlin’s risk assessment capabilities by reviewing the scientific aspects of risks.”“He will also identify new underwriting opportunities for Catlin created by scientific progress and he will serve as an advisor for various Catlin activities that are related to science, such as the current Catlin Seaview Survey.”Mr Maran joined Catlin in 2002 as class underwriter for the Space account. He was later promoted to senior underwriter and subsequently to deputy business group leader for the aerospace business group. He has a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from St. Catherine’s College in Cambridge as well as a master’s degree and PhD in astrophysics from the University of London.