Award for Export Achievement.

The firm, which specialises in employer's excess indemnity insurance and related worker's compensation insurance products, is arguably the market leader in the field.

It acquired full Lloyd's status in 1992, and has more than doubled its export earnings over the past three years and well over 90 percent of its earnings now derive from the US.

Managing Director Mr. Richard Wells said: "This (the Queen's Award) is a tremendous achievement for our company and a tribute to the vision of Mark Cooke and his team, who have pioneered these specialist products.'' Stirling Cooke has expanded rapidly over the past two or three years and in 1992 established a subsidiary company in Bermuda, with Stirling Cooke Texas and Health Care Management in Dallas. It is now consolidating its position.

Mr. Wells added: "Our products are under constant review, and our size and dedication to the niche market in which we operate allows us to respond rapidly to new business opportunities.''