yesterday the appointment of Kevin Gadbois as vice president underwriting.

The addition to staff is due to continued growth in new professional liability and directors and officers (D&O) business, Starr Excess said.

Last June, the company began writing professional liability regularly.

Mr. Gadbois joins Starr Excess from the executive liability division of Great American Insurance Companies where he was assistant vice president and based in Chicago.

He is an attorney and CPA with experience in D&O liability and professional liability insurance coverage.

"We have experienced a positive response to our entry into the professional liability market and we are anticipating additional growth in both professional liability and D&O coverage in the coming year,'' Starr Excess senior vice president Clinton Greene said.

Mr. Gadbois will report to David Lupica, vice president, underwriting.

"Mr. Gadbois will be an integral part of our continued success in core lines of coverage and will also provide us with an opportunity to consider other possible areas of growth,'' Mr. Lupica said.

The company, which also has a representative office in London, issues policies with a minimum attachment point of $25 million and offers capacity up to $25 million for errors and omissions, $50 million for D&O and $150 million for general liability cover.

Arvark receives Coast Guard nod Arvak Ltd., the certificate of financial responsibility (COFR) issuer sponsored by protection and indemnity (P&I) club Skuld and managed by Aon Risk Services, has US Coast Guard approval.

The successful launch of Arvak means three COFR schemes, Arvak, Shoreline and Shipowners Insurance and Guaranty Company (SIGCo), will be vying for business, Lloyd's List said.

Arvak offers guarantees up to $395 million on a fixed premium basis.

The scheme operates as an insurance company capitalised through ordinary shares held in trust.

Capitalisation is $500,000.