appointing Steinar Kleven senior vice president, exploration and production.

Mr. Kleven joins operations here in Bermuda, a key centre for the energy and mining business.

In his new role, he will be responsible for Zurich Global Energy exploration and production business placed in Bermuda and additionally, will develop this type of business emanating from Latin America.

He will continue to work closely with the firm's underwriting teams in Houston, London and Oslo.

Zurich highlighted the appointment as an example of their commitment to provide access to specialist services and comprehensive coverages through each of its underwriting locations.

Zurich Global Energy president, Bob Golden, commented: "Steinar will be an excellent complement to the already well-established expert underwriting team, further strengthening the full spectrum of solutions and services we offer our energy and mining clients.'' Mr. Kleven, with 22 years of experience in the areas of marine and energy insurance, was formerly senior underwriter and manager of the energy department of Zurich Protector in Norway.

Zurich Global Energy was launched in 1995, specialising in providing large limit, multi-year risk solutions for multi-nationals involved in the exploration, development, production, processing, servicing, transportation and distribution of energy resources.

The company offers energy enterprises a full range of traditional and tailor-made risk solutions, supported by a risk engineering and claims handling service.

Zurich Global Energy is a business unit of Zurich Group, a leading internationally recognised provider of financial services in property /casualty and life insurance, reinsurance and asset management.

BUSINESS BUC