DUAL announces double appointment

DUAL, the underwriting arm of the Hyperion Insurance Group, has today announced two appointments.

Mark Smith is the new director of corporate development, and Justin Ansell is the new head of M&A UK.

Smith has over 20 years of banking experience, after working for firms such as Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Keefe, and Bruyette & Woods.

Ansell brings a similar amount of experience, but in the M&A insurance market and corporate law, most recently as head of mergers & acquisitions, insurance at Zurich.

Richard Clapham, CUO of DUAL International and CEO of DUAL Europe, said of Smith: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the DUAL Executive team. Mark brings extensive experience in corporate finance with a particular focus on the insurance sector.”

He then said of Ansell: “His experience will undoubtedly strengthen our position in the London M&A market as well as bringing wider expertise to other related financial products. Justin will be working closely with DUAL’s European M&A Specialty and Asset Underwriting teams enhancing our ability to craft innovative client solutions.”

Both Smith and Ansell will be based in London.