Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance enters Australian surety market

U.S.-based Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Co. on Sunday said it is entering the surety market in Australia, offering contract surety coverage for large and midsize contractors throughout the country.

The insurer currently provides surety coverage in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as Europe and Asia, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty said in a statement.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty has hired Jonathan Griffiths, former head of surety, Asia-Pacific at Liberty Specialty Markets, to lead the new practice as head of surety, Australia.

Mr. Griffiths will be based in Sydney, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty said.

“We are pleased to expand our surety footprint and our team into Australia,” Mark Lingafelter, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty president, Australasia, said in the statement.