Andr? Perez is more than familiar with the world of insurance having spent more than 15 years working in the industry.

But he sees his recent appointment as senior vice president and head of office for Alea Bermuda Limited as coming at one of the “most interesting times in the reinsurance industry”.

His appointment at the helm of Alea's Bermuda office, announced this week, comes at a time when the insurance industry is hardening, or seeing an increase in rates, following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Although recently joining Alea Bermuda Limited, Mr. Perez is no stranger to the Island, having lived and worked here for the past six years. He was most recently senior vice president and chief actuary for Overseas Partners (Bermuda) Limited (OPL) where he was responsible for overseeing the pricing and reserving for all lines of business and management of the daily operations of Overseas Partners Cat Ltd.

Dennis Purkiss, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Alea Group in making the announcement, said: “Andre Perez will be responsible for leading a finite underwriting unit with worldwide scope in both property and casualty, leveraging the resources of the Alea Group.”

Mr. Perez told that Alea, which has offices world-wide, typically writes traditional reinsurance. But Alea Bermuda is to be the group's “centre for finite reinsurance”.