A Bermudian has been named chief underwriting officer on the professional lines side for the Bermuda-based insurance division of XL Capital.

The appointment was announced yesterday and makes Sherron Williams ? who joined the company in 1991 as an underwriter trainee after completing an MBA degree abroad ? not only the first Bermudian, but the first woman to head XL?s professional liability department in Bermuda.

She takes on the chief underwriting position for XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd. from Paul Miller, who has decided to ?transition out of his Bermuda role by the end of the year?.

Mrs. Williams? promotion ? she was most recently senior vice-president and deputy chief underwriter on the professional liability side ? takes effect on Tuesday, although her predecessor and former boss, Mr. Miller, will stay on for what was cited as a six-month hand-over period.

In her new role, Mrs. Williams, 41, will be responsible for overseeing XL Insurance Bermuda?s second largest portfolio of business and a team of 17 staff.

Don Baker, executive vice-president for XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd., said: ?Sherron has been a dedicated and valuable member of the professional liability team for the past 13 years. This promotion recognises not only her hard work and technical expertise but also the strong leadership qualities she possesses. We are pleased that Sherron will lead the Bermuda professional liability underwriting operation, which is a core part of our insurance business in Bermuda.?

Mrs. Williams? climb up the ranks at XL has been steady with her moving from the trainee position to assistant vice-president in 1995, only to be named vice-president a mere two years later. She was promoted to senior vice president and deputy chief underwriter in 2002.

Mrs. Williams, who is also a wife and mother to two small children, holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from York University in Toronto, and a Bachelors of Commerce degree from St. Mary?s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.