Coface has expanded its London markets team after hiring Mark Palmer as a commercial underwriter. Palmer brings almost 20 years of experience in trade finance, and has worked in the trade credit and political risk insurance market. He moves from his previous position as head of trade finance and political risk insurance at Colemont Insurance Brokers.

Previous to this role, Palmer worked as a director of credit and political risk division at HSBC insurance brokers. He has also worked as a class underwriter at XL London Market, and as a senior underwriter at AIG Europe.

He started his career with Fortis Bank, and later joined Standard Bank working in structured trade finance.

Recent successes for Coface’s London team include the securing of a five-year insurance cover for the import of capital goods worth up to £30mn per transaction to a variety of countries including Egypt and Brazil.