Canopius Group, the global specialty re/insurer, has appointed Neil Robertson as group chief executive officer.

Among his responsibilities, the company said, will be developing its Bermudian operation.

Mr Robertson, formerly at AXA XL, joined Canopius as deputy group CEO last May, reporting to group chairman and CEO Michael Watson, and takes up his new role immediately.

Mr Watson will continue as group chairman.

As group CEO, the company said, Mr Robertson will lead Canopius in setting and achieving its strategic ambitions, furthering its distinctiveness and delivering enhanced returns for its shareholders, all while creating a culture in which its employees can thrive.

Canopius said he will also focus on developing its Asia-Pacific, Bermudian and US operations, while continuing to build the company’s reputation as a leading London specialty re/insurer.

Mr Watson said: “After leading Canopius for 20 years, it is now the right time to empower the next generation of leadership for the group.

“Recent months have shown Neil’s exceptional talents as a motivational leader and a builder of effective teams, which will help propel us to the next level.”

Mr Robertson said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to lead a business with outstanding potential.

“I have had time get to know Canopius over the last six months, and I have been hugely impressed with what I have learnt and by the enormous potential of our talent to deliver sustained success.”

He added: “I look forward to continuing our work to realise our strategic objectives by building on Canopius’s established footprint, strong capital base and enviable reputation as we embark on the next exciting phase of our development.”

Canopius has underwriting operations in Bermuda, Australia, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.

It underwrites through Lloyd’s Syndicates 4444 (managed by Canopius Managing Agents Limited), a US surplus lines insurer, Canopius US Insurance Inc and Canopius Reinsurance Ltd, a Bermudian-based Class 4 reinsurer.

Mr Robertson was chief executive of global specialty for AXA XL.