night to salute LaSalle Re Ltd. president and CEO Victor H. Blake as he was presented with the British Insurance Award for individual achievement in the industry.

Mr. Blake received the award for work he did before heading the Bermuda-based cat reinsurer. He led the development of the London Underwriting Centre (LUC), a landmark modern building which serves as London headquarters for more than 25 reinsurance companies, including LaSalle Re and Bermuda-based reinsurer Mid Ocean Re.

The LUC opened in 1992 and was designed as a one-stop business centre for reinsurance brokers. It also houses LIRMA, the influential association of British and international members.

The award cited Mr. Blake's "determination and vision'' in leading the development of the LUC, stressed its importance to the UK's invisible earnings and remarked that it was impossible to imagine London without it.

Mr. Blake remains chairman of Market Building Ltd., the holding company for the LUC. He is also non-executive chairman of CNA Reinsurance Group in London and is a member of the council of the London Insurance and Reinsurance Association.