LaSalle Re Ltd. has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honour's List, becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Victor H. Blake's award, made public in London earlier this week, comes after long service to the insurance industry, with a career that spans 37 years.

"This is a tremendous honour,'' Mr. Blake said from London. "While, on a personal level, it is heartening to receive recognition for one's own efforts, it is true that there were many other people involved in my work for the industry. I just happened to be captain of the team.'' Prior to coming to Bermuda as chairman of LaSalle Re in 1995, Mr. Blake spent 19 years as chairman and CEO of leading property and casualty insurer in the London market, CNA Re.

But Mr. Blake is well known for leading the development of the London Underwriting Centre (LUC), the landmark modern building which serves as London headquarters for more than 25 reinsurance companies, including Bermuda companies LaSalle Re Ltd. and Mid Ocean Ltd.

The LUC, a one-stop business centre for reinsurance brokers, opened in March 1992 and also houses the influential association of British and international members, LIRMA (London Insurance and Reinsurance Market Association).

Mr. Blake remains as founding chairman of LUC Holdings Ltd., the holding company of LUC. He is also non-executive chairman of CNA Reinsurance Group in London, and since 1977 has been a member of the council of the London Insurance and Reinsurance Association.

Last July, more than a thousand leaders of the insurance industry turned out in London to salute Mr. Blake as he was presented with the British Insurance Award for individual achievement in the industry.

That award cited Mr. Blake's "determination and vision'' in leading the development of the LUC, stressed its importance to the UK's invisible earnings.

Victor Blake