Endurance promotes Fujii

Michael Fujii, who currently heads Endurance's US insurance business has been appointed to the position of chief operating officer-insurance.

He will also become responsible for Endurance's Bermuda and UK insurance operations.

Mr. Fujii joined Endurance in October, 2004. He was formerly with Great American Custom Insurance Services, where he most recently served as president and CEO.

Mr. Fuji was also president of CIGNA E&S from 1987 to 1992 and he is a graduate of Loyola University, Los Angeles, and a member of the AICPA and the California Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Chairman, president and CEO Kenneth LeStrange said: "During his tenure at Endurance, Mike has demonstrated his effective leadership and insurance acumen. This promotion will enable Mike to bring his considerable skills to a broader segment of Endurance's portfolio of insurance business lines."

Banas to head Catlin's US unit

The UK's Catlin Group reported from its Bermuda operations centre that Richard Banas has been appointed as president and CEO of Catlin Incorporated, the Group's new US subsidiary.

Mr. Banas will be responsible for the operations of Catlin Insurance Company Incorporated, which upon regulatory approval will become the Group's fourth underwriting platform.

"The company, which will be domiciled in Texas, will write specialty classes of property/casualty insurance for US policyholders which require coverage on an admitted basis."

Catlin currently underwrites US business on a non-admitted basis (surplus lines, excess, exempt and reinsurance) from three separate platforms: Lloyd's Syndicate 2003, Catlin Bermuda, which began underwriting in 2002, writes property and casualty treaty reinsurance, structured risk and other coverages, and Catlin UK, which specialises in writing professional indemnity, property, general liability, D&O and commercial crime coverage for the UK market.

Chief executive Stephen Catlin said: "I am delighted to welcome Rich Banas to Catlin. The creation of Catlin US offers Catlin tremendous underwriting opportunities in the world's largest insurance market."

"Rich's background and experience in specialty insurance underwriting makes him the ideal person to lead the establishment of Catlin US as a leading admitted specialty insurer."

Mr. Banas has held several executive positions with US insurers. Most recently he served as executive VP and chief underwriting officer of XL Professional Lines.

He previously served as chief underwriting officer for XL's global insurance operations. He has also served as a Managing Director of One Beacon Insurance Group and as senior VP and chief insurance operating officer at CGU-North America, following a 20-year career with St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

ICS earns designation

Independent Consulting Solutions (ICS) has achieved Microsoft Business Solutions competency.

Rob Salmon, president and CEO of ICS, said this designation, the third such competency that ICS has earned from Microsoft, positions ICS as a leader in the delivery of financial management, supply chain management and customer relationship management software solutions in Bermuda.

"ICS achieved Microsoft Business Solutions competency through proven expertise and specialisation in Microsoft Dynamics GP technologies," Mr. Salmon said.

Certified consultants at ICS use Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly known as Microsoft Great Plains) technology to develop mature financial, analytic, and business management solutions that help customers maximise productivity and unify data and processes across their business.

These solutions also include managing and integrating finances, e-Commerce, supply chains, manufacturing, project accounting, field services, customer relationships and human resources.

ICS has already achieved Microsoft competencies in Advanced Infrastructure Solutions (hosting, storage and systems management solutions) and Network Infrastructure Solutions (design, deployment, and customisation of networking infrastructure solutions) under the Microsoft framework.

In January, 2005, ICS became a Microsoft Gold Partner. Gold partnership is awarded only to members with the highest level of competence and expertise in Microsoft technologies.

Mr. Salmon (pictured, above) said: "Microsoft Dynamics is a widely used accounting application, and one in which we specialise."

"The demands of both our existing customers and the greater market continue to require the products and services of the Microsoft Business Solutions family, and we are thrilled to be recognised by Microsoft for our skill and expertise in this area."