underwriting branch in London.

The move is the latest modification to the company structure since AIG took control at the start of the year and follows the recent re-naming of Dublin subsidiary, Starr Excess Liability Insurance International.

In Bermuda, Starr Excess marketing manager and assistant vice president underwriting, Ross Webber, said the London underwriting office is a subsidiary of the Dublin office.

Starr Excess was this year incorporated in Delaware and has the Dublin office as a subsidiary to look after European interests, which in turn is the parent to the Bermuda underwriting office and the new, London underwriting office.

Mr. Webber said, "The main underwriting office is still here (in Bermuda). We are still the hub of the whole Starr Excess operation.

Starr Excess Liability Insurance International director and UK branch manager Graham Nankivell, told Insurance Day the launch was a natural step, as part of the company's wider move into Europe.

Mr. Nankivell said, "London is the foremost insurance centre in the world, we wanted to be as close to it as we could get.'' The new branch, which is situated in Lime Street, will offer the full-range of Starr Excess products, including general liability, D&O, E&O, as well as product recall and gradual pollution.