Hutchings, has been elected president of the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies (BFIS) by the board of trustees.

Mr. Hutchings replaces Thomas V.A. Kelsey, who has held the position since the Foundation's inception in 1996.

Mr. Kelsey recently retired as president and chief operating officer of School College & University Underwriters Ltd. (SCUUL) and will be leaving the Island later this month. The BFIS was formed in order to develop, coordinate and oversee the availability, direction and funding of training and educational facilities specialising in insurance-related academic and professional designations.

BFIS chairman Brian R. Hall said, "Tom's support, enthusiasm and advice will be sorely missed. He helped create the Foundation and its vision. His wisdom was most helpful at the time of our launch, and his interface with The College of Insurance in New York was invaluable.'' Mr. Hutchings said he was happy to assist Bermudians in getting the education necessary to succeed in the insurance industry.

Trustees and advisory trustees of the Foundation include Mr. Hall, BFIS executive director Catherine Lapsley, Mr. Hutchings and Michael Butt of Mid Ocean Re, Mr. Kelsey and Don Baker of SCUUL, President of the College of Insurance Dr. Ellen Thrower, Brian O'Hara and Stephen Outerbridge of XL Insurance, Dominic Frederico of ACE Insurance, Walter Scott of ACE and Tempest Re, Paul Markey of Aon, Dr. George Cook of the Bermuda College, Gayle Gorman of Centre Solutions, Chris Longo of Chubb Atlantic, Andrew Carr of J&H Marsh McLennan, Victor Blake and Chez Viner of LaSalle Re, James Kelly of Mutual Risk Management, Douglas Kline of OIL Management Services, Haruyo Oka of PMG Assurance, John Lummis of RenaissanceRe and Anthony Goodfellow of the Chamber of Commerce's International Companies Division.

ELECTED -- W. Preston Hutchings, the new president of the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies.