CHRISTOPHER Sposato will be the new man spearheading efforts to open the door of the insurance industry to more Bermudians.

The Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies (BFIS), which aims to provide a pool of qualified Bermudians for the island's booming international insurance industry, has appointed Mr. Sposato as its new president.

Mr. Sposato, senior vice-president and general counsel of Commercial Risk Partners, takes over from Mark Lima, who has left the island to become chief operating officer of ACE US International.

In addition, BFIS has appointed four new vice-presidents.

Scott Bradley, president of Quanta Reinsurance US Ltd., will be BFIS vice-president of marketing and fund-raising.

Taking the role of vice-president of careers and education will be Bermudian Michael Fisher, managing director of Marsh Global Markets (Bermuda) Ltd.

Tracy Keill, a director of Primary Group Limited, another Bermudian, will become vice-president of finance and accounting.

And Bermudian Paul Simons has been appointed the BFIS vice-president of scholarships. Mr. Simons is currently vice-president and underwriter (property divisions) at XL Re Ltd.

Twenty-six BFIS scholarship students have now graduated and are now working in the insurance sector as underwriters, brokers, actuarial analysts, senior insurance analysts and senior catastrophe analysts, while 14 are studying for their degrees.