XL Insurance has announced the appointment of Uwe Schoberth as executive vice-president and head of North America property and casualty (P&C) regional management.

Promoted to this position from regional executive for XL Insurance's central region, Mr. Schoberth, who will be based in New York, will report to Seraina Maag, XL Insurance's chief executive of North America P&C.

Ms Maag said: "XL Insurance continues to move forward with a lot of positive momentum. As we plan for the coming year, we intend to keep our energy level high, poised and ready to continue to deliver superior solutions to our customers. Uwe's promotion to this position is another step in the right direction.

"Uwe's leadership, management style and impressive business development track record have not only helped him earn these new responsibilities but also the respect and confidence of his colleagues and our clients and brokers

"Uwe and the strong, talented team supporting him will uncover worthwhile opportunities to build upon the solid reputation we have in our market. Their collective talent and efforts will be critical and, I'm confident, will help achieve our strategic growth plans for North America."

Mr. Schoberth will manage XL Insurance's regional operations throughout the US and Canada.

His responsibilities include overseeing distribution, marketing and sales strategies; managing broker and client relations; as well as managing the overall execution of the company's business development strategy; and assuring the delivery of XL Insurance's P&C products and services to the marketplace.

Mr. Schoberth said: "While we're optimistic that the current global economic downturn will ease in the coming months, we see tremendous opportunity to expand our businesses especially in North America where businesses might not know XL Insurance as well as they should. It is time that those businesses really get to know us. XL Insurance has shown considerable resilience and strength in the last few years, and now we are ready to write a new chapter in our history where we have a greater presence in North America."

Mr. Schoberth joined XL Insurance following its 2001 acquisition of the Winterthur International Insurance Company, where he served as branch manager for its Chicago operations.

Prior to his tenure at Winterthur, he served as regional manager for the Gerling Group's Chicago office. He began his career in international casualty underwriting with Gerling in Cologne, London and New York, where he served as marketing and sales director.