Ace Ltd, a global insurance group, has named vice-chairman John Keogh to the newly-created role of chief operating officer, part of a broader reshuffling of the company’s top executives.The Zurich-based company said yesterday that Keogh will oversee all property and casualty insurance operations in North America and abroad. The new chairman of Ace’s North America division will report to him.Ace operates separate divisions for its North American and overseas insurance businesses. Keogh will remain chairman of the overseas business, the company said, and will remain vice-chairman of Ace Ltd. The overseas business, called Ace Overseas General, includes Ace’s property and casualty, accident and health insurance operations outside of North America.The company’s North American insurance business will be chaired by John Lupica, currently chief operating officer of the division and president of Ace USA. Mr Lupica will be responsible for all property and casualty insurance operations in the US, Canada and Bermuda, the company said. Mr Lupica will remain president of Ace USA, and will report to Keogh.Mr Lupica’s promotion takes effect on July 1 as Brian Dowd retires from full-time work. Dowd currently is vice chairman of Ace Ltd and chairman of Ace’s North American insurance business.Dowd will continue to work part-time in the office of chairman and CEO Evan Greenberg. In a statement, Greenberg credited Dowd with helping to “transform Ace from a small, Bermuda-based specialty writer to a top 10 global multiline insurer”.Mr Keogh joined Ace in 2006 to head the company’s overseas business. He was promoted to vice-chairman last year. Prior to joining Ace, Mr Keogh worked for American International Group Inc.Mr Lupica joined Ace USA in 2000 as executive vice-president of professional risk.Last fall, Ace acquired businesses that expanded its reach in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Korea. It also bought Rain and Hail Insurance, a crop insurer serving US and Canadian farmers.Ace provides insurance and reinsurance to companies and individuals in more than 170 countries through operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Its business lines are property and casualty, accident and health, reinsurance and life.Ace shares rose eight cents to $68.04 in afternoon trading yesterday.