BMS Re US appoints former Willis Re leader to executive role

London-based BMS Re US said Thursday that Paul Knutson had been appointed executive vice president based in the company’s Minneapolis office.

Mr. Knutson joins BMS Re US from Willis Re, where he was geographic leader of Willis Re’s upper Midwest personal and small commercial business, BMS Re US said in a statement.

Once his current contractual obligations are complete, he will focus on producing new business targeting regional multiline and coastal property catastrophe reinsurance clients. He will report directly to BMS Re US CEO Andrew Bustillo.

“Paul’s appointment is another step for BMS Re US as we continue to strategically build out our business,” Andrew Bustillo, CEO, BMS Re US, said in a statement. “Our US Origination team has ambitious plans to match BMS’s tailored solutions to an increasing customer demand for independent ideas in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.”

Separately, BMS Group Ltd. announced the launch of a new European venture, BMS Iberia. The operation will be spearheaded by recently appointed directors Fernando Claro in Madrid and Domingo Albi in Seville, who will report to David Battman, BMS managing director and head of international.

Mr. Claro was most recently head of financial and professional lines and mergers and acquisition at Marsh Spain. Mr. Albi has experience arranging insurance for sports associations and professional colleges at Aon and Marsh.