XL Insurance, the global insurance operation of XL Capital Ltd. yesterday named John Glancy to the newly created position of chief underwriting officer. He will report to David Duclos, chief executive officer designate, XL Insurance.

Mr. Glancy headed XL Insurance's Global Professional operations, which provide insurance for professional indemnity, directors and officers, employment practices liability and management liability. He joined XL Insurance in 2003. Before that, Mr. Glancy was corporate vice-president of Commercial Lines for Royal & SunAlliance USA.

"I am delighted John has accepted this key role in our company. He brings 30 years of underwriting expertise in a variety of commercial product lines as well as the strategic experience which is fundamental to our focus on profitable growth," said Mr. Duclos.

"This appointment underscores XL Insurance's commitment to underwriting excellence ¿ our core competency. Creating this new role and naming John Glancy to fill it are part of XL Insurance's ambition to drive greater strategic focus within our product lines while at the same time driving underwriting consistency, greater regional accountability as well as improved risk management and governance," said Mr. Duclos.

In his new role, Mr. Glancy's responsibilities will include product management, risk management, ceded reinsurance, product development, strategic analysis and overall underwriting governance.