Timothy Powell has been appointed head of Asia-Pacific and global head of underwriting performance at emerging industry specialist Relm Insurance.

The move marks the beginning of a planned regional expansion, according to the business, which launched in 2019, is Bermuda-domiciled and specialises in new technologies including web3, digital assets, AI, biotech and the space economy.

Mr Powell will move from London after more than eight years there and be based in Sydney to lead Relm’s growth across Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

New Zealand, southeast Asia and China are expected to be “natural extensions of that footprint over time”.

Relm chief underwriting officer Shane Doyle said: “We are thrilled that someone of Tim’s experience and leadership calibre has joined us.

“He brings deep underwriting expertise, strong relationships across the market and a practical understanding of what it takes to build a business.

“As we establish our presence in Asia-Pacific, he's the right person to lead that next phase of growth."

Mr Powell was most recently Everest Insurance international head of financial lines and has also held senior positions at Zurich, Axa, Allianz and Sedgwick.

He says Relm – which operates in the UK, US and the Middle East and North Africa – has established a clear value proposition supporting emerging industries and advanced technology risk.

“I see a significant opportunity to bring that expertise closer to brokers across Asia Pacific.”