Specialty (re)insurer Sompo Canopius has hired Bruce Shepherd as a credit and political risk analyst.

He will head the credit analysis function in the group’s credit, political and crisis division, and will report to Bernie de Haldevang, global head of specialty.

Shepherd is an experienced credit risk analyst specialising in complex, structured credit risk in industrialised and emerging markets. He joins from a similar role at QBE, where he worked since 2012. He previously held credit risk underwriting roles at Coface and Euler Hermes.

According to de Haldevang, the appointment forms part of the company’s recent investment in underwriting capability to boost its firepower across the credit, political and crisis division.

“Shepherd brings with him a deep knowledge of the broader field of credit and associated political risk analysis,” he says. “He will be a great asset to the team and, most importantly, to the brokers we work with; many will know him personally or by reputation.”

The hire comes just after the company expanded its trade credit insurance team with five new people, including the recruitment of Will Clark from AIG to head the team.