its doors on January 31. Owners, Ruth Dunch and Barbra Henry , feel that after such a long time that it was the right thing to do.

"We are elderly ladies,'' said Mrs. Henry, "and after such a long time we feel we deserve a little time off.'' Mrs. Dunch joked that they were going to stay home and write their memoirs from the last 15 years.

Rubarb started out as a little shop that specialised in needlepoint, where classes were held and supplies could be purchased.

But over the years it became a place where people would meet.

"We are almost like a mini visitors bureau,'' said Mrs. Dunch. "We'd have customers come in and ask us about where they should have lunch and things they should see.'' "We've had wonderful support from our customers,'' said Mrs. Henry.

"We have customers that come back to the Island year after year and they always stop by to see us.'' The wonderful working relationship the two shared was only aided by their long friendship.

Mrs. Henry created the beautiful needlepoint designs, Mrs. Dunch did the finishing work including framing and decorative stitching.

While they did try to find someone to take over the business, it just wasn't meant to be.

"We had hoped that it would be possible to fine someone take over, but no one was really interested in taking over this kind of business,'' said Mrs. Henry.

Both ladies agreed that they would miss each other and the wonderful relationship they have with their customers.

Rubarb will continue to have a 50 percent off sale until its doors close at the end of the month.

CAPT. HEADS ESCORT SERVICES APP Capt. heads Escort Services Bermuda Security Group Ltd. has appointed Capt.

Raymond Smith as manager of the company's Escort Services. Mr. Smith is well known in the security business with many years of experience in the Bermuda Regiment, hotel security and at a local security firm.

Bermuda Security Group president Bill Black said that with more than 30 years in business, the company is the Island's leading security company in guard services, movement of valuables, investigations, fire and security alarm systems, access control and CCTV systems, the latest being the Hamilton City CCTV project.

The company's central station at 42 King Street monitors more than 2000 systems.

PHILLIP SMITH JOINS WJ SEYMOUR APP Phillip Smith joins WJ Seymour WJ Seymour Real Estate Ltd. announced yesterday that C. Phillip Smith has joined the firm's real estate sales team. Mr. Smith has more than 14 years of real estate experience in the industry and brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. Most of his prior real estate experience was with John W. Swan Ltd. until recently when he moved to Progressive Realty Ltd. Mr. Smith has also worked in life insurance sales.

BIBA HIRES MARKETING HEAD APP BIBA hires marketing head The Bermuda International Business Association has named Bermudian Ross Webber as marketing manager. He worked previously at insurer Starr Excess International. His new responsibilities will cover all aspects of BIBA's marketing programme including identifying new opportunities for the Island's international business products and services and conducting activities in target markets. He holds a degree in business from University of Teesside in the UK and an MBA in risk management from the College of Insurance in New York.

"Ross brings a very strong marketing background to the team, as well as industry knowledge via the insurance market,'' said BIBA CEO Pat-Phillip-Bassett . "He will enhance our marketing functions, particularly our database mangement and direct marketing activities.

She added, "Our efforts have bene concentrated on our core markets over the past years -- the UK and the US -- given the international regulatory environment. We have also been establishing Bermuda's position as an e-commerce jurisdiction. Ross will be building on those efforts, particularly for some short-term priorities including implementing the new image ad campaign and the next phase of our e-commerce marketing programme.'' MURAD JOINS PARTNER RE US APP Murad joins Partner Re US PartnerRe US , a subsidiary of Bermuda-based PartnerRe Ltd., yesterday announced the appointment of John Murad .

Mr. Murad has joined PartnerRe US as executive vice president and chief actuarial officer. He brings more than 27 years of actuarial, risk analysis and underwriting experience in the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry.

Scott Moore , President and Chief Executive Officer of PartnerRe US said, "John's strong background in actuarial pricing will strengthen our actuarial and loss reserving capabilities, while his in-depth knowledge of casualty and programme business, including financial reinsurance products, will bring an important additional dimension to our organisation. These elements are essential in fulfilling our objective of becoming a leading professional reinsurer in the US market -- the world's largest insurance market. Mr. Murad said: "With its management talent, focus and energy, this group is gaining an increasingly strong position in the US market, and I look forward to supporting this growth.'' COOPER'S OPENS NEW STORE BUC Cooper's opens new store AS Cooper & Sons Ltd. will be opening a new Front Street store at the site of the old Davison's of Bermuda store across from the Ferry terminal.

Davison's wrapped up operations at 27 Front Street in December after many years and Cooper's have obtained a lease to rent the store which is expected to open soon. (The store's trademark troll figurine which has long stood guard outside the store has been moved to the new Davison's store at 73 Front Street.) *** If you would like to make a submission to Company Moves please fax to the attention of Marina Esplin-Jones at 292-2498 or telephone 295-5881 or email editor y gazette.newsmedia.bm.

Closing up shop: Ruth Dunch and Barbra Henry will be closing the doors of craft store Rubarb, after 15 years, at the end of the month.