HDI Global Specialty SE has promoted Richard Upton to branch manager alongside his current role as head of financial lines for New Zealand, the company announced on LinkedIn on Friday.
Upton joined the insurer in 2024 after serving at Zurich New Zealand for nearly 10 years. He has more than 20 years of industry experience with significant expertise in financial lines across underwriting and claims, professional indemnity, directors and officers, cyber, reinsurance, and claims in both New Zealand and London markets. He has had previous stints at Lumley General Insurance, Allianz, AIG, and IAG.
In his new role, Upton will oversee all branch operations, drive HDI Global Specialty’s market strategy, and deepen the broker and client relationships that are central to the company’s goals in New Zealand.
“His promotion reflects the strength of his leadership, his deep specialty expertise, and the confidence we have in him to lead the next chapter of our New Zealand journey,” HDI Global Specialty commented on Upton’s promotion.
“New Zealand is a key and growing part of our Asia-Pacific strategy, and we see compelling opportunities ahead in specialty lines, delegated authority, and complex risk. Richard is exactly the right person to lead that charge,” the company added.
Upton’s promotion follows the appointments of Tecky Liu, Edward Leong, and Serena Lee as senior underwriters to the HDI Global Singapore team and HDI Global’s report of a strong performance of its Asia-Pacific operations in 2025 late last month.
