QBE has appointed Sebastian Tjornelund as Asia head of marine underwriting effective 1 December 2025, the company announced in a media release on Wednesday.
Tjornelund first joined QBE in September 2023, initially as Asia head of P&I underwriting, where he managed the [British Marine] Asia P&I portfolio. He has served as interim Asia head of marine since June 2025.
Tjornelund brings more than 13 years of experience in marine insurance, including senior roles at NorthStandard and The American P&I Club.
In his new role, which includes responsibility for the growth and profit of the marine and facultative reinsurance businesses, Tjornelund will report to Ronak Shah, CEO of Wholesale Markets Asia, with a dotted line to Simon Lascelles, international head of marine.
“During the past two years, Sebastian has been a key member of QBE Asia’s marine underwriting team,” Shah said. “Sebastian’s appointment is a testament to his hard work, talent and the positive impact he has made on our company and colleagues — and most importantly, our clients, and helping QBE to grow along with them.”
Tjornelund’s promotion comes amid a series of key personnel appointments across the Asia-Pacific region by QBE over the last couple of months.
In October, QBE Re announced that Cindy Foo would be moving to the business from Berkley Re into the newly created head of Asia, treaty role, a position she started this week. Later that month, the business named Chris Killourhy as Group CFO. Last month Shelby Tan was promoted to the role of head of risk and compliance in Singapore.
