all its group companies under the one common name of the Alea Group.

For the last 18 months the Group has been rapidly expanding through a series of new acquisitions and office openings around the world. During this time the Group has completed the acquisitions of the Equus Re operations in the United States and the Imperial Fire & Marine Reinsurance Company in London.

New offices have been opened in London and Stockholm and large investments made in IT and new staff. The new brand brings all the various people and skills created during this period together under one name.

Dennis Purkiss, Chairman and Group CEO, said that the new brand is a direct reflection of the progress the company has made over the last few months.

"It supports our aim to build an operation that is truly global in outlook and capability but founded on local offices serving their markets as they know best,'' he added.

Over a short period of time all the Group companies worldwide will be transferring to the new brand.