The reinsurance division of QBE Insurance Group, QBE Re, has announced it has created a single casualty treaty reinsurance team, bringing together the US and International Casualty Treaty teams into one business unit.

QBE Re states that the combination into a single Casualty Treaty reinsurance team is to enable a unified market proposition as the company looks to take advantage of growth opportunities in strengthening casualty marketplace.

Tim barber will lead the team in the newly created role of head of casualty treaty for QBE Re. He joined the firm in 2011 and was previously Head of International Casualty treaty.

In his new role, he will report to Steve Postlewhite, managing director QBE Re.

Additionally, Mark Jackaman will assume the role of head of international casualty treaty and Tony Clayton will assume the role of head of US casualty treaty. Both will report to Barber under the new division, who will take a strategic role over both portfolios.

Postlewhite, managing director, QBE Re, said: “Bringing the Casualty Treaty teams together will allow us to have a much more cohesive product offering and to have a collegiate team of experienced underwriters. We want an offering that can meet the evolving needs of our customers and brokers as well as being able to take advantage of growth opportunities.”

Tim Barber, head of casualty treaty, QBE Re, said: “Our ambition is to grow the casualty reinsurance business in 2021. We’ve moved from what was a soft market for nearly a decade to one that has seen considerable positive rate movement as a result of recent high-profile losses, economic uncertainty, and long periods of underpricing.”

Adding: “Customers are focusing more on relationships with partners who offer financial strength, longevity and the ability to innovate. QBE Re embodies all these traits, along with underwriters empowered to make decisions quickly. Having all our casualty experts together in one team will only strengthen this proposition.”