Benfield, the world’s leading independent reinsurance and risk intermediary, today announced that it has received approval from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) to open a new representative office in Beijing (‘Benfield Beijing’), enhancing further the company’s presence in China and ability to serve its growing customer base throughout the Greater China region.

Benfield established its first representative office in China in Shanghai in 2003.  As a result of the approval for its new Beijing Representative Office, its Shanghai Representative Office has been approved by the CIRC to be upgraded to the status of General Representative Office.

“China represents one of the world’s most energizing insurance markets”, said Dominic Christian, Chief Executive of Benfield’s International Division.  “For the informed and for the enterprising, exciting opportunities are assured.  We look forward to serving customers new and old, and contributing to the markets future vibrancy”.

Ms Huang Ling, previously with Benfield in Shanghai, has been appointed as Chief Representative for its new Beijing Representative Office.  Kevin Bogardus, Chief Representative for Benfield’s Shanghai Representative Office since 2005 and the company’s General Manager for Greater China, has been appointed as General Representative for its Shanghai General Representative Office.

Christian added: “Our new Beijing Representative office will work closely with our Shanghai General Representative office, the Benfield Asia regional head office in Singapore and the specialty teams throughout Benfield to provide treaty and facultative reinsurance programmes and risk advisory services in all classes of business to our customers throughout the Greater China region.”

The new office contact details are:

Benfield Limited Beijing Representative Office
12F Excel Centre,
No.6 Wudinghou Street,
Xicheng District,
Beijing, 100032 China
T: +86 10 88003790
F: +86 10 88003860

For further press information, please contact:

Chris Gatland/David Bogg    
Benfield (UK)      
T: + 44 (0) 20 7578 7000     
E: Chris Gatland   
E: David Bogg    

Fiona Gibson/Peter Rigby
Haggie Financial
T: +44 (0) 207 417 8989
E: Fiona Gibson
E: Peter Rigby
       
Kathleen Hipp      
Benfield (Minneapolis)      
T: +1 952 886 8161     
E: Kathleen Hipp   

Ansi Vallens
Signals & Strategies (New York) 
T: + 1 518 392 4278
E: Ansi Vallens

www.benfieldgroup.com/media