American Safety Insurance Holdings Ltd. last night named Mark Haushill as the company's new chief financial officer.

Mr. Haushill, who joins the company from Argo Group US, will take up his new role on September 8, 2009.

American Safety's new recruit spent more than eight years as the CFO and treasurer for Argonaut Group Inc, the predecessor to Bermuda-based insurance group Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

Most recently he was the CFO and treasurer of Argo Group US. Prior to his joining Argo Group in 2000, Mr. Haushill was employed in senior management roles at USAA, Titan Holdings and KPMG.

Stephen Crim, CEO of American Safety Insurance Holdings Ltd., said: "We are fortunate to have someone with Mark's depth of insurance industry experience join the ASI Team. His solid finance and accounting background in the insurance industry will be valuable as we continue to build and grow our business."

"This is a great time to join American Safety," said Mr. Haushill. "I am enthusiastic about the opportunity of working with Steve and the rest of the American Safety Insurance team to contribute to the organisation's success."