Canopius opens next Australian office, raids AXA XL for top role

Global specialty re/insurer  Canopius Group will press for broader APAC growth from a new office in Melbourne and has nabbed a casualty underwriting leader from AXA XL to lead the effort.

David Mutton will join Canopius to lead the effort, founding a sister office to the group’s existing efforts from Sydney.

Canopius will initially underwrite casualty business from Melbourne and broaden its offering as the business grows, with plans already underway to make new hires in the coming year.

Mutton comes to Canopius from AXA XL, formerly XL Catlin, where he held the position of senior underwriter of casualty for Australia. He brings more than two decades of experience in corporate and commercial casualty lines.

Canopius CEO for APAC Mark Newman said: “The opening of our trading office in Melbourne marks a significant point in our APAC growth journey. Melbourne provides an ideal platform for us to continue to scale rapidly as a lead carrier for specialty risk in Australia, while attracting some of the region’s top talent. … I am delighted to welcome David into the fold. His leadership skills and relationships built over many years, combined with his strong technical capability and knowledge of the local market, complement our team of specialists and places us well to seize the wealth of opportunities in Australia.”

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