Liberty International Insurance chief underwriting officer for Asia-Pacific Mike Abdallah will retire at the end of September.

Mr Abdallah, who played a pivotal role building the US insurer’s presence in Australia and the wider region, will be succeeded by Marcus Thomas, who moved from Sydney to Hong Kong last year to become chief underwriting officer for commercial in Asia and Asia-Pacific third party.

“Mike leaves a fitting legacy,” president of underwriting for global risk solutions Phil Hobbs said. “Liberty enjoys one of the best reputations with brokers and clients across the region.”

The insurer says its Asia-Pacific commercial and specialty business writes more than $US1 billion ($1.44 billion) of premium a year, offering more than 20 product lines to more than 20,000 businesses and government organisations.

“Mike has played a central role in Liberty’s growth across the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Hobbs said. “Under his 27 years of leadership, our commercial and specialty business in Asia-Pacific has grown to become one of the strongest underwriting franchises in the region ... We thank Mike for his outstanding contribution and wish him a wonderful retirement.”

Mr Abdallah, who is also Australia chair, started the Asia-Pacific commercial and specialty operation in Sydney in June 1999 as one of the three founders of Liberty International Underwriters.

“He helped to shape what would become Liberty’s global specialty business and has played a central and defining role in Liberty’s profitable growth in this region,” the insurer said.

“Few leaders in the insurance industry have delivered 26 years of consistent profitability while also building such a strong reputation for stability and partnership with clients and brokers.

“Through his integrated business team approach and disciplined underwriting strategy, Mike has prudently and successfully guided the business through multiple market cycles, ensuring Liberty has remained a consistent and trusted partner for clients, brokers and cedants throughout Asia-Pacific.”

Mr Thomas’ appointment is effective from July 1.