Arcadian Risk Capital’s new executive vice-president, Michael Cunney, will lead the company’s expansion into the American miscellaneous professional liability market.

The speciality managing general agent with operations in Bermuda and elsewhere, has secured multiyear capacity to support the initiative.

A spokesman for the firm said Mr Cunney brings more than 35 years of disciplined underwriting experience to Arcadian. Based in New York, he will write MPL across a range of industries through both retail and wholesale distribution channels, with a focus on excess placements, including blended cover structures.

He was previously senior director of professional liability at Market and has held senior underwriting roles at AIG, First State and Liberty Mutual.

John Boylan, chief executive of Arcadian, was delighted to welcome Mr Cunney, who is well known across their team from many years of working together.

“He is a consummate underwriting professional, with disciplined underwriting at the core of his approach,” Mr Boylan said. “This initiative complements Arcadian’s existing professional lines business, broadening our product offering and strengthening our distribution relationships.”

Mr Cunney said Arcadian is a growing platform backed by experienced underwriting professionals.

“I look forward to playing my part in building a strong and sustainable business in the United States,” he said.

The launch marks another step in the evolution of the Arcadian platform, which in January received a growth investment from Lee Equity Partners, a middle-market investment firm specialising in the financial and healthcare services sectors.

The MGA has also appointed Matthew Mullen as executive vice-president, head of US casualty, large account excess.

Also based in New York, Mr Mullen said on his LinkedIn page that he was looking forward to leading Arcadian’s domestic team in the expansion of the firm’s footprint.