underwriter-focused offices as in Copenhagen and Singapore, where our products and services are available through regional underwriting teams, and producer-focused offices, which will provide our underwriting teams in London with regional market knowledge, insight and assistance.
We launched this Texan-basedn operation in August 2009 to extend our global energy network to North America.
Set up in partnership with US-based insurance broker Global Special Risks(GSR), Chaucer Houston provides our Energy Division with a new underwriting platform for land-based oil and gas operators.
The partnership enhances our energy services, combining the underwriting expertise of Syndicate 1084 with the product distribution network and high quality front-end services provided by GSR. The partnership positions us at the forefront of the US retail sector and consolidates our role as a long-term participant in this market.
The current portfolio comprises upstream, midstream, downstream, renewables and casualty classes of business, on which we plan to build a profitable business platform for future growth.
In the first year of operation, Chaucer Houston developed a 70+ strong client base. We will build on this success in 2010 through the expansion of Syndicate 1084's product offerings.
For over a decade, we have been developing a successful European operation, Chaucer Underwriting A/S, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Launched in 1999 to write mainly property excess of loss reinsurance in Northern Europe, Chaucer Underwriting A/S has grown successfully, writes business for accident and health, terrorism, political risk, energy and most recently, marine hull and cargo.
Building on the product strength of London, Chaucer Underwriting A/S aims to accept Chaucer products in Copenhagen, as well as European business not typically presented to the Lloyd's market.
In November, recruitment concluded for the latest range of products added, with the appointment of an underwiter to write marine and hull business. The new underwriter has strong sector experience and a high profile in the region.
We launched Chaucer Singapore in 2007 to underwrite offshore energy and other marine lines of business on behalf of Syndicate 1084.
Now in its fourth year of operations, Chaucer Singapore has developed as a market leader for upstream energy in Singapore, and one of the largest service companies on the Lloyds Asia Platform.
In 2009, to consolidate its position on current lines and to introduce new classes to the Asian market, Chaucer Singapore increased the strength of the underwriting team. This included recruitment of a Power and Engineering Team.
Chaucer Singapore now provides dedicated resource for cargo, hull, marine liability and terrorism coverage, while the financial institutions portfolio includes accident and health XOL and other casualty treaties.