Quantum appoints Barnes as COO

Quantum Communications, the Island's local telephone service provider set up to rival BTC, has appointed Garth Barnes as chief operating officer.

Quantum has been in limbo for years, but is now hoping to begin operations as a viable alternative to BTC.

Mr. Barnes in fact has come from BTC where he worked in the business sales and service delivery departments.

He has also held senior positions at BCS and the Bank of Bermuda in its telecommunications division and was responsible for the operations and development of the bank's telecommunications network.

Mr. Barnes took up his post on October 6, and will be responsible for the day to day operations of the company and will report to Quantum chairman Edward Saints.

Axis strengthens grip in Europe

Bermuda-based Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. has announced it has appointed key senior underwriting professionals to AXIS Re Europe, its newly formed underwriting branch in Zurich.

Stephan Knipper has been appointed executive vice president underwriting, with responsibility for the Liability and Credit & Bond lines of business. He will, in addition, act as deputy to Karl Mayr, president and chief executive of Axis Re Europe. Mr Knipper joins Axis Capital from Gerling Global, where he most recently served as a member of the board of management.

Bruno Felix has been appointed senior vice president underwriting, with responsibility for the motor line of business. He will also act as marketing officer for France and Belgium. Mr Felix is a qualified actuary and, over the last several years, was the chief underwriter for the Paris branch office of Gerling Global.

"We are extremely pleased that Mr Knipper and Mr Felix are joining our organisation," said Karl Mayr. "Both gentlemen have earned an excellent reputation in the European markets and have demonstrated strong underwriting skills and discipline while developing significant portfolios."

Axis Capital is a Bermuda-based global provider of specialty lines insurance and treaty reinsurance with shareholders' equity in excess of $2.0 billion and locations in Bermuda, the United States and Europe.

Arch strikes out in Texas

Bermuda-based Arch Insurance Group, a division of Arch Capital Group Ltd., announced the opening of its newest office in Houston, Texas. The office will be located in the Williams Tower at 2800 Post Oak Boulevard, and the company claims that Arch Insurance is well-positioned to serve the Houston market.

"While the initial focus of our Houston office will be the pursuit of property energy business, this office will come to serve as our future hub for Texas production and broker relations, " said Gary Dittman, executive vice president for Arch Insurance Group's Midwest Region.

The key areas of business Arch's Houston office will initially specialise in include technical risk property, oil, gas, petrochemical, power generation, pulp and paper, steel, mining and offshore energy.

"The Houston marketplace will create fresh opportunities to showcase not only property energy but all of Arch's specialty lines of business," said Susan Doyle, vice president, Arch Insurance Group, who will manage operations in Houston.