HDI Global US, a corporate and specialty insurance provider operating within the HDI Global group, has confirmed the appointment of Maria Duhart as Chief Underwriting Officer for US Specialty and the promotion of Dan Feige to Chief Underwriting Officer for US Short-tail Lines, as the insurer continues to develop its presence in the United States.
The company stated that both appointments are intended to enhance oversight of its underwriting operations and support the expansion of its commercial and specialty insurance activities.
Duhart and Feige will report directly to Shadi Albert, Chief Executive Officer of HDI Global US, and become members of the US Executive Leadership Team.
HDI Global US indicated that the leadership changes align with its Xcelerate29 strategy, under which the insurer is investing in technical expertise, underwriting management and relationships with distribution partners to support its longer-term ambitions in the American market.
Duhart will take responsibility for providing strategic underwriting direction across several specialist business areas, including Architects & Engineers, Credit & Political Risk, Equine and Delegated Authority. Her remit will also extend to the development of HDI Global US’s proposed Surety operation, which has yet to be launched.
She moves to HDI Global US from AXA XL, having most recently been responsible for the insurer’s US East Zone Client and Distribution operations. Earlier in her career, she held the position of Chief Underwriting Officer for AXA XL’s Americas Specialty Niche division and occupied senior management positions at Nationwide and Chubb.
Feige’s expanded responsibilities will encompass underwriting oversight for Property, Energy and Ocean Marine within the company’s US short-tail business. He will simultaneously maintain his existing leadership duties across Engineering, First-Party Construction and Inland Marine.
Having joined HDI Global US in June 2026, Feige previously worked at Liberty Mutual, where he held the position of Chief Underwriting Officer for Marine within its Major Accounts business.
Discussing the changes, Shadi Albert, Chief Executive Officer of HDI Global US, commented: “Strong underwriting leadership is what turns investment into profitable growth. Maria brings deep experience in specialty, surety and delegated authority, and a clear view of how brokers want to trade. Dan has made a real impact since joining in June, and this promotion recognizes it. I’m pleased to share that both will play a central role as we build HDI Global US into a premier commercial and specialty insurer.”
Duhart said: “HDI Global US is investing here with real purpose, pairing global financial strength with decision-making close to the market. My focus is supporting the sustained, profitable growth of our Specialty lines and making HDI Global US an easy carrier for brokers and delegated authority partners to work with. I’m excited to join and contribute to the team’s momentum.”
Feige added: “Brokers in property, energy, engineering and marine want a carrier that understands the risk and gives them a clear answer. That’s what we’re building. I’m grateful for Shadi’s confidence and look forward to growing this business profitably with teams that have the technical depth to do it.”
The latest changes follow a wider restructuring and expansion of HDI Global US’s senior management team during 2026. The insurer has also appointed Shadi Albert as Chief Executive Officer, Justin Gress as Chief Operating Officer, Uwe Schoberth as Chief Commercial Officer and John Flannery as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer.
