Bermuda-based Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd., yesterday said its head of insurance, Michael Fujii is retiring from the company.

Mr. Fujii, global chief executive officer, Insurance Operations, joined Endurance in 2004 and led the establishment and build-out of Endurance's US insurance business.

"I enjoyed the opportunity to build a new US insurance operation on behalf of Endurance from the ground up, but it is time for me to move to a new chapter in my life," Mr. Fujii said.

"I am looking forward to spending more time with my family, tending to the immediate needs of my aging parents and my interests outside of work."

Endurance CEO David Cash said: "Mike has been a significant presence in the US insurance industry for the better part of three decades and I am proud to have had the chance to work with him at Endurance.

"I want to thank Mike for his contributions to Endurance over the past six years and the critical role he played in building Endurance's US insurance business. Through the efforts of Mike and his team, Endurance has developed a group of very strong specialty insurance underwriting operations. We are grateful for the time and effort Mike has given to Endurance and we wish him every success as he moves on to the next phase of his life."