Bermuda-based Overseas Partners Ltd. has announced the appointment of Mark B.

Cloutier as Chief Claims Officer and the newest member of OPL's senior executive team.

He will join the expanding team at Overseas Partners Ltd., one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, which has total assets and members' equity at September 30, 2000 of $4.8 billion and $1.9 billion respectively.

Commenting on the appointment, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mary R.

Hennessy said: "Along with expert underwriting and actuarial talent, it is critical that as a large and diversified reinsurance company, OPL has access to superior technical claims expertise.

"We need this capability not only to responsibly manage our own portfolio of liabilities, but also to consult with our insurance company clients on claims issues which directly impact their bottom line.'' She added that OPL was fortunate to attract an executive with Mr. Cloutier's talent, extensive claims expertise, and breadth of international insurance and reinsurance experience.

And she added the appointment was another key step in securing the best technical team to capitalise on OPL's "enormous potential'' to become one of the world's most profitable reinsurance companies.

Before joining OPL, Mr. Cloutier held senior management positions at E.W.

Blanch Holdings Inc., TIG Holdings, Lindsey Morden Claim Services, and Brouwer and Company.

Mr. Cloutier was also founder and president of an independent claim service company in British Columbia, which quickly grew from one to five branch offices in just four years.

OPL has four reinsurance subsidiaries: Overseas Partners Re Ltd. (OPRe), Overseas Partners US Reinsurance Company (OPUS Re), Overseas Partners Cat Ltd (OPCat) and Overseas Partners Assurance Ltd (OPAL).

OPCat was formed in 1999 to underwrite worldwide property catastrophe reinsurance programmes. Renaissance Re Holdings Ltd. is the exclusive underwriter for OPCat.

OPAL provides rent- a-captive facilities to clients, allowing them to participate in the underwriting and investment profits associated with their insurance programme.

*** HAVERCROFT APPOINTED BSX'S IT MANAGER APP BUC Havercroft appointed BSX's IT manager The Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) this week announced the appointment of Ian Havercroft to the position of Information Technology (IT) Manager.

He will replace Donny Moniz who is leaving the BSX to relocate to the US.

Mr. Havercroft was head of IT Operations at Ernst & Young before making the move.

Exchange chief executive officer William Woods said: "We are delighted to welcome Ian Havercroft to the BSX.

"His depth of knowledge and experience will be an invaluable asset to the Exchange.

"The BSX is very sorry to be losing Donny Moniz.

"He has been with us for three years and has been instrumental in the implementation of BEST -- the Exchange's electronic trading platform,'' continued Mr. Woods.

"He will be a loss to the Exchange but we wish him and his family every success in the US and thank him for his contribution to the BSX.'' Mr. Havercroft brings 20 years of IT experience to the position and will be responsible for the BSX's day-to-day IT issues and for maintaining and enhancing BEST.

This work will include the implementation later this year of the PlusFunds Market -- the world's first real-time trading vehicle for secondary market hedge funds -- and the introduction next year of the Exchange's fully electronic settlement system GlobalScrip.

Mr. Woods noted: "As the world's leading fully electronic offshore securities market, the role of IT Manager at the BSX is a critical one and we are very fortunate to have found someone with Ian's experience to guide us through the next growth and development period.'' BUSINESS BUC