Giant insurance company ACE Limited has appointed Bermuda Electric Light Company's manager of Corporate Communications to a new top post.

Bermudian Linda Smith Wilson will take on the newly-created position of Deputy Director Communications at ACE on July 1.

After ten years at the helm of Belco's corporate communications Department, Mrs. Smith Wilson told The Royal Gazette it was a "rewarding experience'', but it was time to move on.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed working here,'' she said. "It's been a rewarding experience. I will miss the job and particularly the people.'' But Mrs. Smith Wilson admitted that she needed "an opportunity to grow''.

At ACE she will work closely with the Director of Communications in establishing "a strategic integrated communications programme for the ACE group of companies''.

Mrs. Smith Wilson will oversee the management of media relations and advertising programmes and material production.

ACE president and CEO, Brian Duperreault said the company looks forward to having Mrs. Smith Wilson join the communications department of the holding company.

"Given ACE's rapid growth, it is critical that the manner in which the ACE group of companies communicates to its target audiences is based on sound strategic direction,'' Mr. Duperreault said. "We've spent the last six months reviewing our communications programmes and will be implementing some of the key findings of the review in the next few months.

"We know that Mrs. Smith Wilson's considerable experience and expertise in communications will be a distinct asset.'' Prior to joining Belco, Mrs. Smith Wilson was news director at Bermuda Broadcasting Company. She holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She is married to Gavin Wilson and has a daughter, Jessica.