Political risk insurance broker Berry Palmer & Lyle (BPL Global) has appointed Sian Aspinall as development and technical director.

Aspinall, a well-known political risk industry figure, will join the board of directors to help plan and implement the firm’s future strategy.

James Esdaile, BPL Global director, comments on the hire: “Sian is a highly-respected insurance market professional and, having worked with her first-hand both in connection with her consultancy role and previously as an insurer, I’m certain that she will be invaluable in helping us maintain our strong client relationships and develop new products in the face of changing demand.”

Before joining BPL, Aspinall provided consultancy services to insurers, loss adjusters, brokers and law firms, following a successful underwriting career initially with AIG and subsequently as senior vice-president, trade credit and political risk at Zurich. She started her career as a political risk broker in 1990 and was at BPL Global from 1992 to 1994.

“Having previously worked for BPL Global and having spent seven years conducting peer group reviews in my consultancy role, I know the company very well and have a huge amount of respect for its independent status and specialist approach,” she says.