Torus unveils marine head

Torus has appointed Demian Smith as global head of marine with immediate effect.

Reporting to chief underwriting officer of global specialty Dermot O’Donohoe, London-based Smith will facilitate the expansion of Torus’ specialty offering, which launched last September, through the development of a new marine practice.

Smith has joined Torus from the Navigators Group-owned Lloyd’s Specialist Marine Syndicate 1221, where he was responsible for marine and energy liabilities. He began his career at Miller in 1995.

O’Donohoe said: “The establishment of a marine practice is an extension of our strategy to position Torus as a leading global specialty carrier. Whilst we will develop opportunities in many of the traditional marine lines we will also be looking to participate in some of the more specialist products being developed in the UK, US and European marine markets."

Smith said: “Marine insurance, whilst the most mature of insurance products, remains vitally important to enabling world trade. Furthermore, globalisation has led to new challenges for businesses that trade goods around the world.

"In line with Torus’ overall ambition to both complement and develop the markets in which it operates through a flexible and technical approach to risk, the marine practice will look to offer differentiated products that meet the changing needs of today’s market; to do this we will continue to put together a strong team of experienced professionals. I am excited to be a part of this new insurance proposition at Torus.”