Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer, has promoted former ACE executive Susan Patschak to chief operating officer of its Bermuda operating subsidiary.

Ms Patschak takes up the operating reins for Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd., once Immigration approval is in hand, the company said in a statement.

Ms Patschak joined Endurance in September 2004 from Ace Limited, where she was global chief actuary.

The company also said it was promoting Christopher T. Schaper to head its reinsurance operations. Both Ms Patschak and Mr. Schaper will report to Daniel M. Izard, president of the Bermuda unit. Mr. Schaper?s promotion, is also subject to approval by Bermuda officials.A spokeswoman said Ms Patschak and Mr. Schaper are taking up newly created posts, not filling positions vacated by departures.

Endurance has made three high-level promotions in recent weeks. The first, in mid-December, named David S. Cash, formerly president, Endurance Bermuda, chief underwriting officer of Endurance Specialty Insurance Limited.

Ms Patschak was most recently senior vice president of Endurance?s property treaty unit. A member of the American Academy of Actuaries, she is also a member of Endurance?s loss reserve committee.

And Mr. Schaper, a chartered property casualty underwriter, was most recently senior vice president and head of the casualty treaty reinsurance group, Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. He?s been with Endurance since 2002.

Endurance shares yesterday closed down 34 cents, or one percent, to $33.34 in trading on the New York Stock Exchange.