XL Insurance, the global insurance operations of XL Group plc., has announced changes in its Chicago-based environmental underwriting team with the appointment of Mike LaRocca to central region underwriting manager.

Previously, Mr. LaRocca was XL Insurance's north-central region business development manager. He now assumes environmental underwriting management duties in XL Insurance's 19-state central region.

Tricia Norquist, senior vice-president and North American field operations manager of XL Insurance's environmental group, said: "Mike brings extensive industry experience, a strong legal background and a unique skill in building specialty producer relationships.

"Pollution incidents make headlines everyday and continue to remind businesses of their need to manage environmental liability. Over the last 25 years, XL Insurance's pollution coverages have evolved as the needs of our clients change."

Prior to his most recent business development position in Chicago, Mr. LaRocca worked within XL Insurance's marine and offshore energy unit in New York.

Before his tenure at XL Insurance, he held regional management positions with Aon in the midwest/east, Willis in the southeast and Beecher Carlson in the west. He began his career practising insurance defence litigation and maritime law.

Mr. LaRocca is joined by two new environmental underwriters, Sarah Murray and Kathy Villagomez. Ms Murray joins XL Insurance from Practical Environmental Consultants in Schaumburg, Illinois, where she was a project manager and geologist. Ms Villagomez was field geologist for Pangean-CMD Associates before joining XL Insurance's Environmental group.