Hiscox Re & ILS, the reinsurance and insurance-linked securities arm of the Bermudian-headquartered specialist global insurer Hiscox, has appointed Minesh Shah as director of underwriting risk.

Mr Shah will join on May 1 and be responsible for driving optimisation across Hiscox Re & ILS’s diverse reinsurance portfolio and those for third-party capital.

Based on the island, he will become a member of the Hiscox Re & ILS executive team and will report to Kathleen Reardon, chief executive of Hiscox Re & ILS.

A qualified actuary, Mr Shah has more than 25 years of experience in property and casualty reinsurance across Bermuda and London.

He is at present chief actuary and chief risk officer at Hamilton Re, where he is responsible for all aspects of reserving, pricing and capital modelling.

Prior to Hamilton Re, Mr Shah held a number of senior roles in underwriting risk in Bermuda and London with Platinum Underwriters, RenaissanceRe and XL Catlin.

Ms Reardon said: “I am delighted to have Minesh join Hiscox Re & ILS. His extensive experience in reinsurance pricing, reserving and risk management will complement our existing risk team.

“As we look to seize the opportunities in this hard market, Minesh’s expertise will be a great asset.”

Mr Shah added: “I am thrilled to be joining Hiscox, a brand which I have admired for some time now and one with a strong reputation for excellence in underwriting and risk management. I am looking forward to leading the talented team of risk professionals in Hiscox Re & ILS.”