Torus adds top underwriter

Bermuda-based Torus has expanded its construction team with the appointment of Richard Girden to the role of vice-president and senior underwriter to help provide local support services for brokers in North America.

Based in Torus' new Chicago office, Mr. Girden will manage the team's US portfolio and will report to London-based senior vice-president and head of global construction, Steven Norcliffe.

Mr. Girden brings more than 30 years of insurance experience to Torus, 20 of which have been in construction underwriting.

He was most recently president of construction in the Goldman Sachs-funded operation Vista Insurance Partners, prior to which he was senior vice-president and managing director of construction at Mercator Risk Services.

Mr. Girden has also served as president of RLI Construction and as vice-president and property sales executive at CNA.

Mr. Norcliffe said: "Richard has close relationships with the majority of key construction brokers in the US and this will boost our efforts in building a truly global construction underwriting platform by offering a personalised service on both sides of the Atlantic.

Mr. Girden said: "Currently there is a tremendous opportunity to capitalise on the US government's stimulus plan for infrastructure, so it's an exciting time to be joining a fast-growing and entrepreneurial company as part of one of the most respected underwriting teams in the market."

Director named

Bermuda Press (Holdings) Ltd., the parent company of The Royal Gazette, has announced the appointment of Aideen Ratteray Pryse to its board of directors, effective September 9.

Ms Ratteray Pryse is a planning consultant and the founder of the Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF).