Bermuda insurer Ironshore’s European operating hub is to open a branch office in London.Dublin-based Ironshore Europe Ltd said yesterday it had received approval from the Central Bank of Ireland, to open the London office.Paul Betts will lead the operation as branch manager and will report to Fiona Marry, Ironshore Europe’s CEO.The London office will initially focus on underwriting select lines of commercial insurance business, with a focus on financial, professional and property insurance.“Ironshore Europe’s presence in the London market, which is central to the international insurance industry, offers yet another distribution channel and access point that will be critical for growth going forward,” said Mark Wheeler, CEO of Ironshore International.“While we will focus on selected business lines at the outset, Ironshore Europe will eventually broaden its underwriting expertise to build a platform that encompasses Ironshore’s comprehensive suite of specialty insurance products.”Paul Betts has more than 20 years in the insurance industry, having served as a lead underwriter for professional and financial lines for such companies as Chartis, Swiss Re, and SVB Syndicates, Ltd. Most recently, he served as vice-president at Chartis International and was the European manager for financial institutions, responsible for underwriting insurance risk across 28 countries.The group’s Bermuda-based insurance company, Ironshore Insurance, provides significant reinsurance support to Ironshore Europe.