Former Appleby Spurling Bailhache partner Jerome Dill is to join post-Katrina start-up reinsurance company Validus Holdings.

He will step into his new role with the Bermuda company the day after he officially leaves the law firm after a 21-year spell at the end of March.

The former Deputy Premier joins Validus Holdings, which has just marked its first year of operation in Bermuda, at a time when the company is seeking to raise $200 million through an initial public offering (IPO).

Mr. Dill has been appointed general counsel of the company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Validus Reinsurance Limited Ltd. His appointment will be effective from April 1.

Speculation has been rife this week that Mr. Dill is set for a return to politics with the United Bermuda Party. He was not available for comment yesterday.

Mr. Dill became a partner of Appleby Hunter Bailhache in 1991 and team leader of the firm?s Immigration and Employment Practice in 2001. In recent years, he has advised on a number of transactions in relation to Insurance and Reinsurance entities in Bermuda.

Mr. Dill served as Deputy Premier from 1995 to 1998 and undertook active community work throughout the 1990s. He served in the Education and Human Affairs Ministries, on various commissions and committees and was an active member of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Noonan, chairman and chief executive officer of Validus Holdings, said: ?We are extremely pleased to welcome such a talented attorney and respected Bermudian to the Validus team. We have worked closely with Jerome since our company?s inception in late 2005 and he has been a trusted adviser throughout this time.

?Validus? first year of operations has been extremely successful and Jerome?s in-house counsel will be invaluable as Validus continues to grow its operations.?

Mr. Dill said: ?I look forward to joining Validus, an impressive company which has established itself in the market place. I have had the privilege of working with the executive team and look forward to expanding our professional relationship.?

Mr. Dill holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the London School of Economics, a Master of Laws Degree from University College London and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Dalhousie University. He was admitted to the Bar in England and Wales in 1985 and in Bermuda in 1986.