Arch Underwriting Launches SA Division

February 11 - Arch Underwriting at Lloyds has established a Johannesburg based service company to be known as Arch Underwriting at Lloyds South Africa.

Arch Underwriting is part of the Arch Insurance Europe group, which deals with insurance on a global scale.

The group recently opened a division in Sydney, Australia.

The new South African division will be managed by the Regional Director, Steve Fogarty and will focus initially on commercial property.

Fogarty was an executive with Chartis (AIG) and dealt with commercial property and terrorism products.

"The establishment of an Arch owned and managed underwriting platform in Johannesburg is another significant development for our Lloyds syndicate," said the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arch Insurance Europe, James Weatherstone.

"Together with the recent opening of the Arch Sydney office led by Adam Matteson, the new Johannesburg office complements our strategy of developing indigenous business which does not typically come into London," added Weatherstone. "With Steve on board, we have an experienced technical underwriter with over 20 years of experience in the African market."

Arch Insurance Europe underwrites specialty line business through its base in London.

Through independent brokers, the group provides specialized property and liability insurance programs to a wide range of industrial and commercial companies.