Amlin to expand into Germany

20th Jan 2014 07:01

FTSE 250 listed Amlin has been granted permission to offer insurance products in Germany and plans to operate a branch from Hamburg, it announced Monday. As part of its move, Amlin Europe has appointed Martin Bircks as its Managing Director, who is joining the company from Zurich Insurance Group where he was Head of Liability, Casualty and Legal Protection, Head of Product Management Commercial Lines and, from 2010, Head of Marketing Unit Management Broker General Insurance.Kim Hvirgel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amlin Europe, said: "We have chosen Germany as our fourth home insurance market, after the Netherlands, Belgium and France, because of its specific characteristics. "Germany is the third largest insurance market in the world and its distribution, co-insurance and product set-up are in line with Amlin Europe's existing business model. Hamburg is an important business hub and one of the main centres of insurance in Germany."The company will focus on building a portfolio of specialised commercial small and medium enterprise Property and Casualty business, offering niche products. The group said the expansion plan was part of its long-term strategy to profitably grow its Continental European insurance business. Amlin CEO Charles Philipps added: "Amlin Europe has a well-established position in the Benelux and French markets with a strong client proposition. I am confident we will be able to develop a similar position over time in the German market."NR