The Ace Group of re/insurance companies has announced the appointment of Paul O'Neill as senior vice-president and chief underwriting officer, for its North America property and specialty lines division.

Mr. O'Neill will set and maintain all underwriting, pricing and reinsurance strategies, policies and procedures for Ace North America Property, to ensure effective implementation of the division's business plan. Based in Atlanta, he will report to Paul McNamee, president of North America property and specialty.

"Paul's appointment is clear recognition of his significant contribution to our North American Property and Specialty business over many years," said Mr. McNamee. "His proven leadership, strategic ability, and in-depth knowledge across all of our operating units will be extremely valuable as we continue to build and enhance our North American property operation."

Mr. O'Neill has more than 30 years of insurance industry experience, and has served in a leadership capacity in a variety of property, marine and energy-related underwriting units at Ace and its predecessor organisations. In addition to his new role, he will retain responsibility as the Ace programme relationship manager for Starr Tech, a managing general agent specialising in energy and technical property risks, as well as continuing to lead efforts to provide Ace's insurance and risk management solutions to the nuclear industry.

In addition, he will continue to head up the Ace property and marine cash flow unit, overseeing sales and marketing of global property and marine programmes involving captives.

Mr. O'Neill represents Ace as vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of American Nuclear Insurers, and serves on the organisation's executive and security committees. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, Pensylvannia.