Bermudian-based Axis Capital Holdings Limited has announced the launch of an Inland Marine unit in North America as part of the company’s expansion of its specialty product offering and capabilities in the region.

The company said the new unit will be led by Kristen Hunter, who joins Axis as head of Inland Marine, North America, reporting to Mike McKenna, head of North America, Axis.

“Kristen is a highly talented and proven leader who has the specialty underwriting acumen and portfolio management experience to launch, develop and profitably grow our new North American Inland Marine business unit,” said Mr McKenna.

“The launch of this unit speaks to the priority Axis continues to place on growing our global product capabilities and investing in our US platform to meet the emerging needs and opportunities that we are seeing in the marketplace.”

Previously, the company said, Ms Hunter worked at Berkshire Hathaway, where she was vice-president, Marine, and Inland Marine unit leader.

Axis said Ms Hunter will be joined by Ciara Nolan, Sinead O’Shea and Saoirse McNulty, who will serve in underwriting roles in the new team, and who were previously part of Ms Hunter’s team at Berkshire Hathaway.

All will be based in Boston, other than Ms Nolan, who will be based in the Axis New York office.