XL Capital's subsidiary XL Insurance (Bermuda) has appointed Mark Peeters as its new chief underwriting officer of its Bermuda-based professional lines business.

Mr. Peeters will take up his role at the start of 2008 and will oversee a team of 14 and the company's second-largest portfolio of business. He replaces Sherron Williams who is transferring to XL Insurance's Claims division.

A former broker for Aon and Marsh, who has worked in London, New York and Bermuda, Mr. Peeters joined XL as vice president of Professional Lines in 1998 and was promoted to deputy chief underwriting officer of Professional Lines in 2004 and then senior vice president last April.

John Glancy, chief underwriting officer of XL Insurance's Global Professional operations, said: "I would like to congratulate Mark, who has demonstrated not only an acute set of management skills, but a deep understanding of the professional liability risks faced by this industry.

This makes him an ideal leader for the Bermuda Professional Liability team.

"Under Mark's leadership, XL Insurance (Bermuda) will continue to work to reinforce their leadership position in this market."

Mr. Don Baker, Executive Vice President of XL Insurance (Bermuda) Limited, said: "Mark has been a dedicated XLIB team member for over nine years and we are pleased to have him assume this leadership role.

"I would also like to thank Sherron Williams for her contributions over the years, particularly during her time leading the Bermuda Professional Liability team, and wish her all the continued success in her new role."