Ironshore Inc. has appointed Mitch Blaser as CEO of Ironshore Bermuda.

Mr. Blaser, who has been with the insurance company since its launch in January 2007, was a key player in the core management team who, along with Bob Deutsch and John Clements, founded Ironshore in late 2006.

In addition to being in charge of the Bermuda operations, he will continue to serve as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Ironshore's global operations.

Mr. Blaser said: "What Kevin Kelley (Ironshore CEO) felt was important was that as Bermuda was going to be an important part of the global operations and network, we needed to have representation for it.

"I think it is more or less to bring all the Ironshore business under an umbrella and to have the geographic presence.

"Bermuda is going to be, and is indeed already, an important geographic presence for Ironshore."

Kevin Kelley, Ironshore's CEO, said: "Bermuda will continue to play an important role in the future of Ironshore. Mitch has been in Bermuda since Ironshore's formation and has been an integral part of the successful development and expansion of the Bermuda based operations.

"We cannot see anyone who represents the potential and spirit of our Bermuda team and of the company better than Mitch."

Before joining Ironshore, Mr. Blaser was chief financial officer of Swiss Re's Americas Division between 2001 and 2005 and also served as a director of Swiss Re America. Prior to Swiss Re, he was part of the leadership team at Marsh, where he served in a variety of roles from 1973 until 2001, including global chief financial officer and head of technology and corporate services. Mr. Blaser also served as a member of Marsh's board of directors.