QBE has officially announced the appointment of Paul Peerdeman as the new head of marine underwriting for the Netherlands, strengthening its push into the Dutch marine insurance market. With over 35 years of hands-on experience in marine insurance, Peerdeman is well-positioned to lead this strategic expansion. He will assume his new role starting August 1, 2025, and will be based in Amsterdam.
Throughout his extensive career, Peerdeman has held key positions in the marine insurance space. His previous roles include head of marine at ERGO Netherlands, as well as leadership and underwriting positions at Aon, HDI Gerling, Chubb, and Allianz. His deep understanding of marine risk and cargo underwriting brings a wealth of expertise to QBE’s growing European operations.
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With this appointment, QBE is preparing to introduce its marine cargo and fine art & specie insurance products to the Netherlands. These offerings are already well-established in France, Germany, and the Nordic region, having been successfully launched between 2022 and 2023. Now, Dutch clients involved in both domestic and international trade can benefit from QBE’s specialist solutions.
The Netherlands is considered one of the most mature and dynamic marine insurance markets globally. Therefore, QBE’s decision to expand here aligns with its broader European growth strategy, which began in late 2022. Before opening its Dutch branch, QBE proactively hired local talent across underwriting, claims handling, operations, and finance. This groundwork ensured that the insurer could begin writing business by January 2023, once regulatory approvals were obtained.
Currently, QBE Netherlands provides liability, property, and financial lines coverage, catering to mid-sized and large corporate clients. Importantly, the company’s distribution is primarily managed through local intermediaries, maintaining a strong broker-driven model.
Tania Bensoussan-Arthur, QBE’s marine practice lead for Europe, emphasized the strategic advantage of Peerdeman’s appointment. “As international trade is facing increasingly complex challenges, our customers want global expertise combined with local knowledge – and that’s what our European team are keen on delivering,” Bensoussan-Arthur said.
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Moreover, QBE is actively refining its continental distribution strategy. In support of this initiative, the insurer recently appointed Maths Stanser as head of distribution for continental markets. Stationed in Brussels, Stanser now oversees broker relationships across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, while also serving on QBE’s European management committee.
Ultimately, QBE’s growing presence in the Netherlands is more than just a regional expansion. It represents a calculated effort to serve Europe’s marine trade sector with precision, combining global capabilities with localized service excellence.
