Liberty Specialty Markets has appointed Niala Butt as head of casualty claims. Reporting to Nik Mahida, head of third-party claims, UK & MENA, Butt will be based in London.

In her new role, Butt will lead the casualty claims team, supporting LSM’s goal to deliver greater claims value across the insurance lifecycle. Amongst her areas of focus will be trend analysis, operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement, which will include sharing her knowledge and expertise working directly with insureds.

With more than 28 years of industry experience, Butt joins from CNA Hardy, where she served as casualty claims manager for three years. She began her career as a liability/property underwriter before moving into senior roles spanning medical malpractice, claims operations, and international risks. Butt is also highly engaged in industry initiatives, serving on the LMA General Liability Committee, leading the Ethnic Women in Insurance Network, and contributing to several CII committees focused on diversity and innovation.

Scott Kellers, head of UK & MENA claims, said: “Niala brings an extraordinary depth of experience to this new role, and her leadership will be instrumental as we evolve our claims offering. Her industry knowledge and market profile will be a major asset to Liberty and our clients. We are proud to have a diverse claims leadership team, reflecting the diversity of our clients and their specific needs.”