But last night mystery surrounded the reasons for Mrs. Lim's departure from the firm.

A spokesman for XL confirmed: "Ellen Lim has resigned from the company -- beyond that I really can't comment.'' But it is understood Mrs. Lim, a technology expert, wanted to move into an area where technology was the main business, unlike XL, whose primary business is insurance.

Mrs. Lim -- also chairperson of the Telecommunications Commission -- is understood to have left XL last Tuesday.

Her home phone number was yesterday listed as "not in service'' -- and when contacted on cellphone she said "no comment'' and rang off.

Mrs. Lim was hired as chief information officer, becoming chief technical strategist for the company.