QBE's aviation managing director Emilio Di Silvio is to retire from the business at the end of the year.

Di Silvio has spent 36 years in the insurance industry.

He started out in the Lloyd’s market in 1975 as a box junior with Syndicate 312 EO Walklin and O’s.

He worked in a number of Lloyd’s syndicates and in 1991 joined L.G. Cox Underwriting Agency to take over as the underwriter of Syndicate 734.

He sat on the Lloyd’s Aviation Underwriters Association and was chair of the committee during one of the most difficult periods in aviation history following the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

In 2002 he was appointed managing director and global head of aviation at Allianz in London.

Since joining QBE in 2006, Di Silvio has led the development of QBE’s aviation business.

He said: “I am immensely proud of the achievements of the aviation team over the past five years. During this time we have grown and diversified and have accomplished so much for QBE, our brokers and clients.

"I would like to thank the team for their dedication, expertise and incredible support and I wish them continued success in the future.”

Colin O'Farrell, chief underwriting officer, marine, energy and aviation, QBE European Operations said: “Emilio has had a successful five years at QBE and has made huge inroads in developing our aviation proposition. I would like to thank him for his hard work and wish him the very best for the future.”