A Bermudian has been appointed head of human resources for the US operations of Bermuda-based reinsurer PartnerRe.

Abby Clifford, who joined PartnerRe in Bermuda in July, 1999, left the Island late last week for New York where she will live.

She plans to commute to work at PartnerRe?s US headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

Ms Clifford last week said she was indebted to PartnerRe for giving her the chance to grow and excel in her career.

?I would like to thank PartnerRe for the series of opportunities that have enabled me to continue to develop professionally,? she said.

Ms Clifford added: ?My promotion is a direct reflection of PartnerRe?s commitment to developing its people. I feel fortunate to have worked in such a supportive and dynamic head office environment for the last five years.?

In her new role, Ms Clifford will report directly to the CEO of PartnerRe US, Scott Moore, and will be responsible for all aspects of the unit?s human resources function including recruitment, rewards, selection and operational excellence, said a company statement.

Ms Clifford was previously responsible for group organisational development, and was based on the Island at PartnerRe?s head office on Pitts Bay Road.

Ms Clifford told that not only was she looking forward to taking on the new job, but also relished the chance to live in New York.

?I am really looking forward to tackling the challenges of this new role, to meeting new people and getting to enjoy city living for a few years,? she said.

Mr. Moore welcomed Ms Clifford to the PartnerRe US team.

?Abby?s proven management and leadership capabilities make her an excellent addition to the US organisation,? he said. ?As PartnerRe US continues to mature, Abby will play a critical role in ensuring the strength of the human capital in key business dimensions including leadership, management and technical skills.?

PartnerRe is a global reinsurer and, in addition to its head office in Bermuda, it writes business from around the world including operations in Europe, South America and the US.

The company, which celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, was originally founded as a property catastrophe reinsurer after a void in capacity following devastating Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

It was not, however, until the late 1990s that the company diversified into other lines with its acquisition of French reinsurer SAFR in mid-1997 and subsequently, its acquisition of the reinsurance arm of Swiss company Winterthur Re in late 1998.

As part of the company?s diversification, it made a conscious decision to build its US business. Although PartnerRe had been actively writing in the US market, this had been as a property catastrophe reinsurer but it ramped up its US operations with the establishment of PartnerRe US in late 1998 with a focus on writing casualty business.