Hyperion extends its international operations opening new office in Argentina

25 June 2007: The Hyperion Insurance Group today announced that its broking arm specialising in business critical insurances, Howden, has opened a new office in Argentina with its joint venture, VK Howden.

Launched in July 2006, VK Howden is focused on developing wholesale broking opportunities in Latin America. Since its establishment, it has opened offices in Puerto Rico and Colombia. The new office based in Buenos Aires will focus on both underwriting and brokerage activities for general liability, product liability including exports to the US, and employers’ liability for the entire Latin American region.

Bobby Vernon, Managing Director of VK Howden, comments: “Since launching our operation headquartered in Miami last year, we have received a hugely positive reception from the Latin American market, particularly Mexico and Brazil. The opening of our office in Buenos Aires will allow us to get closer to our clients in Argentina and provide a stepping stone into the neighbouring market of Chile. We have also taken the opportunity to bring new talent on board by recruiting Diego Miagro to head up our new office as well as spearhead the development of VK Howden’s general casualty unit. This will enable us to broaden our portfolio of products and offer a comprehensive casualty solution to all of our clients and partners in the region.”

Diego joins VK Howden having spent ten years as an underwriter of general liability, professional liability, D&O, and medical malpractice. He began his career at General Reinsurance Corporation in the US and transferred to Buenos Aires to help build a mostly facultative book of general liability business. Diego left General Re to launch ACE Latin America’s casualty wholesale and facultative operation, which was responsible for underwriting general liability risks in all Latin American countries.

Bobby Vernon concludes: “We are delighted to have been able to attract someone of Diego’s experience and caliber to our business. His technical experience in the liability product lines combined with his energy and drive will, I am sure, help us consolidate our presence in Latin America and become a dominant force in the region.”