FARMINGTON, Conn., July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Specialist insurer Beazley (BEZ.L) announces the appointment of Katie Guiou as a territory manager for the company's private enterprise team, which focuses on the professional liability needs of small businesses.

Guiou, based in Plano, TX, will be responsible for the company's private enterprise marketing efforts in the southern region of the United States.  She will also oversee the company's nationwide territory manager team, building and strengthening relationships with key brokers.

Guiou assumes the role formerly held by Valorie OShoney, who has taken on a broader development role with Beazley's broker relations team.

"We are delighted to have someone of Katie's calibre join our team.  With her industry experience, she will be a valuable asset as we continue to refine and expand our business through relationships already established by Valorie in the southern part of the United States," said James Eaton, global head of the small business team.

Guiou joins Beazley from the LexisNexis Insurance Exchange, where she was the national account manager responsible for acquiring and growing revenue sources through sales of the company's products and insurance solutions.  Prior to that, she was a vice president with Roach Howard Smith & Barton, an independent insurance brokerage firm.

The private enterprise team comprises 20 underwriters, claims professionals, and territory managers focusing on the needs of small businesses with assets up to $35 million and up to 500 employees.

Note to editors:
Beazley plc (BEZ.L), is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, the US, Asia and Australia.  Beazley manages five Lloyd's syndicates and, in 2011, underwrote gross premiums worldwide of $1,712.5 million.  All Lloyd's syndicates are rated A by A.M. Best. 

Beazley's underwriters in the United States focus on writing a range of specialist insurance products.  In the admitted market, coverage is provided by Beazley Insurance Company, Inc., an A.M. Best A rated carrier licensed in all 50 states.  In the surplus lines market, coverage is provided by the Beazley syndicates at Lloyd's.

Beazley is a market leader in many of its chosen lines, which include professional indemnity, property, marine, reinsurance, accident and life, and political risks and contingency business.

For more information please go to: www.beazley.com

SOURCE Beazley