Assured Guaranty Ltd. yesterday announced that Pierre Samson had been appointed president of Assured Guaranty Re International, Ltd., assuming responsibility for the company's financial guaranty reinsurance segment.

Assured Guaranty CEO Dominic Frederico said: “Now that the majority of our reinsurance business is being handled from Bermuda, I have asked Pierre Samson to take responsibility for our reinsurance segment. With more than 14 years of experience as an actuary and reinsurer, Pierre has the skills and leadership to direct this segment.”

Mr. Samson succeeds Robbin Conner, executive vice-president of Assured Guaranty Corp., Assured Guaranty's principal US subsidiary, who was appointed to run this segment in March 2004.

Mr. Conner has subsequently been named as director of underwriting standards for AGC. In this role, Mr. Conner will focus on AGC's underwriting systems, controls and processes.

A Press statement said that Mr. Conner will also play a key role in the completion of the company's Sarbanes-Oxley certification process for the underwriting area.

Mr. Frederico added: “I asked Robbin to take responsibility for enhancing our underwriting models and standards and ensuring our new staff members are trained in Assured Guaranty's underwriting systems and approach. We have added eleven experienced underwriting, surveillance, legal and financial staff in our direct operation since the end of the second quarter and expect to continue to expand our financial guaranty direct business.”