QBE North America, part of Australia-headquartered QBE Insurance Group, has made two senior hires as it looks for more HNW business in North America.

The insurance firm QBE North America is intensifying its focus on the high net worth market with two hires within its standard property and casualty department.

Eric Shanks has been appointed as senior vice president of HNW – a new role at the firm. Based in San Francisco, CA, Shanks will have national responsibility for the development and execution of QBE North America's HNW-focused personal insurance strategy.

He started his career at Chubb before moving to AIG Private Client Group and then Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. Shanks most recently oversaw a HNW client segment at Chubb & Son.

The second hire is that of Guy Huntley, who has joined as senior vice president of personal insurance underwriting, based in Chicago, IL.

Huntley previously worked at ACE Private Risk Services and before that was a senior underwriting director at Fireman's Fund. Earlier still, he was European regional manager and regional underwriting manager at AIG Private Client Group.

Shanks and Huntley will both report to Eric Pruss, senior vice president of personal insurance.