Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd has named Richard Housley as executive vice-president and global practice leader for property insurance.

The appointment reunites Mr Housley with John Charman, chairman and CEO of Endurance, as they used to work together at Axis Capital.

Mr Housley will launch the company’s property business in London, working closely with Doug Worman, CEO of US insurance at Endurance, to build the property book in the Americas and internationally and serve as general manager of the London office, Endurance said in a statement.

“Richard has an exceptional reputation as a skilled underwriter along with extensive relationships across the primary brokers serving this market,” Graham Evans, CEO of international insurance at Endurance, said in the statement. “Under his leadership, we will no doubt quickly establish Endurance as a meaningful player in the London property market and significantly enhance our offerings and prominence in the key property insurance markets around the world.”

Mr Housley joins Endurance from ANV’s Lloyd’s syndicate, ANV Syndicate Management Ltd, where he was underwriting director. This was a continuation of his role at Flagstone Syndicate Management Limited (FSML) which ANV acquired in 2012.

Prior to Flagstone, Mr Housley was with Axis Insurance since 2002, most recently as CEO of the Specialty Lines Division responsible for Axis’ property, casualty and marine insurance business.

During his tenure at Axis, he also served as chairman of Axis Specialty Europe Ltd, global leader for the Property and Energy Practice, and president of Axis’s global insurance segment.