Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. yesterday announced the retirement of Steven W. Carlsen as chief operating officer effective June 1.

Mr. Carlsen, who has been with Endurance since its inception, will join the board of directors and will sit on the investment and underwriting committees.

Mr. Carlsen's role as COOwill be taken over by Kenneth LeStrange, the chairman, president and chief executive officer and David S. Cash, the chief underwriting officer. Mr. Carlsen will continue to act as a consultant.

Endurance also announced the appointment of former Scottsdale Insurance Company chairman Max Williamson to its Board of Directors.

@EDITRULE:

The Ace Group of Companies' plans to expand its global reach were boosted this week with the appointments of two veteran US trade officials to its government affairs department.

Ace said it had appointed two officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative: Matt Niemeyer has been appointed Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, with responsibility for leading the Ace Group's Washington, D.C. office, while Paul Neureiter has been appointed Vice President for International Government Affairs, reporting to Mr. Niemeyer.

Ace already writes business in more than 50 countries, and in recent years has added life insurance businesses in China - through its joint venture with Hautai Insurance and Vietnam, along with property and casualty units in Russia and Poland.

China in particular is seen as a fertile growth area for insurance as its economy booms.

Ace said Mr. Niemeyer served as Assistant USTR for Congressional Affairs and led the USTR's efforts to seek Congressional passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

“I am very excited about these two additions to our Government Affairs team,” Ace Group of Companies Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and Legal Patricia Henry said.

“Matt's proven track record with Congress and knowledge of international affairs, along with Paul's significant experience with China issues, will be a tremendous benefit to the Ace Group of Companies.”

Prior to joining the office of the USTR, Mr. Niemeyer served as deputy political director of the powerful lobbying group The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

He also served as the manager of grassroots programmes for the Independent Insurance Agents of America.

Mr. Neureiter served as USTR Senior Director for China. Prior to that position Mr. Neureiter was an Economic Officer with the US Embassy in Beijing.

Earlier he served in the US State Department's Office of Chinese Affairs as well as in several positions with the US Embassy in Papua New Guinea.

@EDITRULE:

Bermuda-based Accenture Ltd., the world's second-largest consultant, named chief executive officer William Green to the additional post of chairman.

Mr. Green, 52, has been CEO since September 2004 when he replaced Joe Forehand, Accenture's chairman, who will retire August 31, the company said in a statement. Mr. Forehand, 57, will be succeeded by Mr. Green effective September 1, the company said.

@EDITRULE:

Marston (Marty) Becker, who is chairman and chief executive for the run-off of LaSalle Re, has been appointed to the board of directors of Selective Insurance Company in Branchville, New Jersey.

Mr. Becker, who is also a director of Bermuda-based Max Re Capital, is the second insurance executive with Bermuda connections to join Selective. John Burville, the former Chief Actuary with Ace Ltd., joined the board last December.