Applied Underwriters expands in the EU, ME

Applied Underwriters, Inc., has announced the formation of Applied Financial Lines, Ltd., a new enterprise to operate from Paris and Cologne to underwrite several specialty lines in the European Union and in the Middle East, including professional indemnity and D&O. Applied Financial Lines will work with an extensive wholesale broker and local retail agent network throughout the EU, Israel, and other countries in the region.

Applied Underwriters recently acquired the renewal rights to StarStone’s financial lines book of business, providing a solid basis for the planned expansion and growth. According to Steve Menzies, CEO of Applied Underwriters Inc: “Our strategic plans call for expansion into the EU and Middle East markets with a combination of the product mix we have secured via the StarStone acquisition, the hiring of top executives, and the situating of core underwriting staff in offices across the continent, beginning with Paris and Cologne.”

Jeroen Claesen has been appointed to lead Applied Financial Lines, working from the Company’s Paris office. Claesen had served as head of financial lines for StarStone and has enjoyed an extensive career in the field with Catlin and other leading companies.