Independent credit and political risk insurance broker Texel Group has announced Josh McCann and Axel Swiderski have joined its broking team in London.

McCann (pictured) has taken on the role of director at Texel. He previously spent more than a decade at the International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s syndications team, where he built innovative financial products with an ESG focus for insurers and institutional investors.

He was also instrumental in establishing credit insurance as a distribution option for IFC’s long tenor lending globally, both on a deal-by-deal and on a portfolio basis, Texel says.

Prior to the IFC, McCann worked in Sierra Leone for Innovations for Poverty Action and the World Bank.

Meanwhile, Swiderski has joined Texel as an associate director from Cofarco, where he spent seven years as a credit and political risk broker, as well as commodity finance analyst.

Prior to this he worked at BNP Paribas, in the structured products sales team, with roles in both Paris and Singapore.

“Both Josh and Axel bring specialist skills and experience to Texel, enabling us to continue offering our clients and underwriting partners advice and solutions that set the standard for our industry,” says Texel’s head of London broking, Ashleigh Cheall.

“Our recent transition to an employee-owned trust preserves our independence and culture, meaning we attract talented people from across the financial services industry and beyond.”

McCann adds: “I have known Texel for many years and have consistently been impressed by the calibre of Texel’s team and their ability to deliver innovative, bespoke insurance solutions.

“I’m looking forward to exploring new opportunities to attract credit insurance coverage to bankable deals in emerging markets.”

Texel’s “dynamic and entrepreneurial outlook make it an exciting company to have joined,” says Swiderski.