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Towergate Underwriting has hired Martin Joyce to lead its newly formed regional specialty business.

In his new role Joyce will be responsible for financial lines; including professional indemnity, directors and officers and crime.

He will be based in Manchester and will report to commercial lines chief executive David Bruce.

Joyce joins Towergate from Hyperion-owned managing general agency (MGA) DUAL where he was UK regional manager.

Towergate Underwriting chief executive Adrian Brown said: “We’re cracking on, seizing upon the numerous opportunities we have to review and refresh our broker proposition as we regain our confidence in the market.

“The appointment of Martin and the creation of a specialty lines capability addresses a genuine gap in our portfolio and is part of a much broader strategic plan to build our strength and depth as an underwriting agency.

“Martin is well known to many of us in the group, as both a respected trading partner and competitor. Over time, we’ll be looking to build a team underneath him across other specialist lines, by recruiting more key talent, forming a go to team in this space.”