New European chief underwriter at Liberty Specialty Markets part of insurer’s Invest in Europe 2030 strategy

Liberty Specialty Markets has appointed David Saillen as chief underwriting officer (CUO) for Europe, effective immediately.

David Saillen, CUO Europe, LSM

Saillen (pictured) joins the European executive team of Liberty Specialty Markets, part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, and will be based in Zurich.

He will report jointly to Pierre-Edouard Fraigneau, president of Liberty Specialty Markets’ European region, and Ronald Bolaños, global CUO of Liberty International Insurance.

Saillen succeeds Fraigneau in the role, following Fraigneau’s appointment as European president earlier this year.

Fraigneau will retain the legal and regulatory responsibilities associated with Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe.

In his new position, Saillen will be responsible for underwriting performance across Europe and for supporting Liberty’s clients and broking partners across the region.

The appointment is aligned with Liberty’s Invest in Europe 2030 strategy, which aims to position the insurer as a long-term partner across European markets.

Saillen has spent more than ten years at Liberty, most recently leading the fine art and specie business in Continental Europe.

During that time, he played a central role in building the portfolio into a market-leading offering.

Prior to joining Liberty, Saillen was managing director of AXA’s alternative risk transfer team, based in Switzerland, also serving as the same unit’s head of global distribution.

Fraigneau said Saillen had been instrumental in the development of Liberty’s European specialty capabilities.

“David has been fundamental in shaping our fine art and specie book in Europe, building it out into the market-leading offering we have today,” he said.

“He is an innovator, a technical expert, and a passionate advocate for positive change.”

Fraigneau added that Saillen’s appointment would help maintain a balance between global scale and local underwriting expertise.

“Under his leadership, our brilliant European teams will continue to leverage global reach through a local lens,” he said.

Saillen’s promotion comes as Liberty continues to invest in its European underwriting platform, with a focus on specialty lines and disciplined portfolio growth.

 

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