Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM) has entered the equine and livestock markets with the appointment of Julian Bowen-Rees as global head of the division.

Bowen-Rees joins from Markel, where he was most recently managing director of equine.

Based in Virginia, he will report to Liberty Specialty Market's chief underwriting officer for specialty, Michael Gosselin.

Bowen-Rees is supported by Emma Leslie-Miller, who joins LSM as an underwriter from Brit.

Furthermore, Liberty announced that Markel bloodstock underwriter Jeremy Chappell will join the London team in early 2018 to lead the London market equine unit.

LSM’s equine and livestock teams will write business globally with a focus on US, UK, Ireland, Europe, South Africa and Australasia.

Liberty said that the equine book will offer a number of products including mortality, liability and farm package and will include a wide range of breeds and their associated uses.

Meanwhile, livestock will include both animals in situ and in transit, with LSM able to offer cover for exotic animals ranging from pedigree cattle to giant pandas.

Gosselin said: “Julian, Emma and Jeremy’s appointments introduce LSM to a new and exciting product area, in which our unique perspective will create considerable opportunities. 

“We’ve been able to create a powerful combination of experience and expertise framed by our analytical abilities which will be highly attractive to both our broker partners and their clients.”