Bermuda insurance group Hamilton has hired a graduate of the US military training school West Point to lead its battle for business in America.

Conan Ward, who worked in Bermuda for several years, moves to recently-founded Hamilton from his own consultancy firm in New Jersey.

He said: “This is an exciting opportunity to create something new in the insurance and reinsurance industry.

“Hamilton Insurance Group’s combination of visionary management, global experience and big data capabilities is unique in the sector.

“I’m looking forward to building a cutting edge team who knows how to marry the products we’ll be selling with the risks of the future.”

Mr Ward, 46, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the prestige US Military Academy, has more than 20 years’ experience in insurance and reinsurance.

Before establishing his own company in the US, he was chief underwriting officer at Validus Re from its founding to 2009.

During his time there, he built and managed a $1 billion property and speciality reinsurance business.

He was also an executive vice-president of Axis Speciality Ltd, where he built and ran portions of tis worldwide treaty portfolio and served in on its management board.

Hamilton president and CEO Brian Duperreault said: “I am delighted to welcome Conan to Hamilton Insurance Group. His depth of experience, as well as his enthusiasm for the business that we’re doing, make him a natural fit.

“I’m looking forward to working with him as he develops our insurance operations in the US.”

Hamilton Insurance Group uses analytics and research to create underwriting and investments for clients and shareholders and has around $800 million in capitalisation.

Hamilton Re, its property and casualty reinsurance arm, is rage A- (excellent) with a stable outlook by ratings agency AM Best.