XL Group plc has appointed Gregory Hendrick to lead the insurer's new Office of Strategic Growth.

And the company has hired back Bermudian Charles Cooper to replace Mr. Hendrick as chief underwriting officer of XL Re.

Mr. Cooper left XL a year ago, after nine years with the company, to head Validus Re's North American property catastrophe reinsurance business.

Mr. Hendrick's new title will be executive vice-president, strategic growth. He will serve on XL's Leadership team and report to chief executive officer Mike McGavick.

During his 15 years with XL, Mr. Hendrick has held various senior leadership positions including vice-president and underwriter of XL Mid Ocean Re, and senior vice-president and chief property underwriter for XL's Bermuda reinsurance operations.

In his new role, Mr. Hendrick will be responsible for guiding XL's strategic planning, focused on enhancing the company's operational efficiencies and further growing XL's underwriting units.

Mr. Cooper, who has 15 years' experience in the industry, began his XL career with XL Reinsurance America, Inc. in Stamford, Connecticut, in 2000 as an assistant vice-president and corporate planning analyst.

In 2005, he transferred to the Bermuda office where he was senior vice-president and underwriter for XL Re Ltd with responsibility for property catastrophe and specialty accounts business.

Mr. McGavick said: "This is an exciting time for XL. Greg's focus on strategy and his leadership of the new office will allow the company to carefully plan for the future and clearly track our progress and success.

"Greg has been instrumental in leading various successful initiatives during his XL career and we are thrilled to have him in this important position."