claims analyst Anna Fortuna the designation of Senior Claim Law Associate.

Besides Ms Fortuna, a Bermudian who joined XL in 1991, there are only two other Senior Claim Law Associates working in the Bermuda insurance industry -- all employed by XL Insurance.

She completed a three year programme to gain admission to the Society of Claim Law Associates headquartered in New Jersey.

XL Insurance issued a statement that it was pleased to encourage and support such continued professional development of its personnel.

Ms Fortuna said the designation was widely recognised in the insurance industry in the US as signifying a high level of professional competence.

"There are other claims qualifications but the SCLA programme focuses on US case law as it relates to insurance and is an appropriate course for the excess liability insurance risk products that XL Insurance Ltd offers.'' AYALA JOINS LATIN AMERICAN RE APP Ayala joins Latin American Re Bermuda-based Latin American Reinsurance Company, Ltd. has named Luis E. Ayala II as regional managing director in charge of Latin American Reinsurance Argentina, S.A.(sm), which serves the Mercosur region from Buenos Aires.

Mr. Ayala joins the Company as regional managing director with 16 years of experience underwriting and marketing in Latin America and the United States.

"The Argentine office completes our initial regional distribution infrastructure, joining our other locations in Bogota, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo,'' said Richard E. Meyer, chairman and chief executive officer of Latin American Re. "We take pride in the expertise and credibility of the people we are bringing into the organisation. Through these regional offices, we are able to better understand our clients' local needs and be more responsive with tailor-made solutions.'' Latin American Re provides traditional and non-traditional multi-line reinsurance as well as risk management and alternative risk transfer products exclusively throughout the region. The Company specialises in reinsurance niches including workers compensation, surety bonding, life, and financial reinsurance contracts on both treaty and facultative bases.PHOTO Anna Fortuna