Allied World Assurance Company Holdings Ltd. has moved to strengthen its Bermuda general casualty department with the appointment of three former American International Group (AIG) executives to its team.

Michael Costello, Karl Jordan and Patrick Kenahan have been appointed to their new roles as the department has expanded following a recent increase in its excess casualty capacity from $50 million to $75 million for North American and European placements underwritten in Bermuda and Europe.

Mike Hoffmann, senior vice-president for Bermuda and international product line manager of general casualty, said: "I'm very pleased at the growth of our general casualty department. In addition to our increase in excess casualty capacity, the hiring of these talented individuals demonstrates our dedication to meeting the needs of our clients.

"The collective knowledge and superior service standards these new team members bring will be a great asset to our team. I look forward to the opportunities our expanded department will provide to our clients and brokers."

Mr. Costello joined Allied World on April 8 as senior vice-president and Bermuda general casualty manager and will report to Mr. Hoffmann. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Costello was at AIG Cat Excess (formerly Starr Excess) in Bermuda for more than eight years. In his most recent role for AIG, he was senior vice-president/manager of a large portfolio of excess casualty Fortune 1000 business.

Before that, Mr. Costello served Starr Excess as vice-president of excess casualty, with responsibility for underwriting a complex book of casualty business. Prior to AIG, he was a primary casualty underwriter with a focus on difficult-to-place risks for both Kemper and Zurich Insurance Companies.

Mr. Jordan joined Allied World on the same day as vice-president and general casualty team leader, reporting to Mr. Costello. Previous to his position with Allied World, he served as vice-president of casualty in the Bermuda office of AIG Cat Excess and underwriting director of umbrella and excess for CNA's New York Metro Branch.

Prior to that, he worked at Marsh USA as vice-president of Marsh Global Broking, working as an excess casualty co-ordinator; AIG Global Marine & Energy as assistant vice-president - NE hub manager, responsible for the production excess casualty energy business in the Northeast; and Chubb Insurance in New York as assistant vice-president and regional practice leader of excess casualty.

Mr. Kenahan joined Allied World on April 7 as vice-president and general casualty team leader, also reporting to Mr. Costello, and brings with him 14 years of experience in the insurance industry.

He most recently held the post of vice-president of excess casualty at AIG Cat Excess. Prior to that position, Mr. Kenahan was the Mid-Atlantic regional manager for Zurich North America's excess casualty division. He also held positions within Zurich and AIG Excess, formerly known as American Home, in New York, where he underwrote national account lead umbrella business.