Bermuda-based insurance company Allied World Assurance Company (AWAC) has pledged a donation of $25,000 to the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies (BFIS).

AWAC management said the donation was made in recognition of the Foundation's efforts to help Bermudians take advantage of career opportunities in the insurance sector.

At a cheque presentation earlier this year, insurance veteran and BFIS chairman Brian Hall said: “We are delighted to have AWAC on board.

“This pledge will go towards BFIS scholarship funding and career programmes and will ultimately provide more career opportunities for Bermudians in the insurance sector.”

AWAC CEO Michael Morrison said: “We fully support the BFIS and their goal of equipping Bermudians with the right training and qualifications for the growing insurance industry.”

Mr. Morrison added that when AWAC set up in November, 2001 it had only three employees but that number had grown to include a staff of 60 in its Bermuda office, with about two-thirds of those being Bermudians or spouses of Bermudians.

Of that number, Mr. Morrison said AWAC had hired four BFIS graduates and were pleased with their contribution to the company.

The four BFIS graduates to join AWAC are:

Angelika Rohlmann, who joined AWAC in March, 2002, and is currently employed as an underwriter in the company's treasury reinsurance department.

Joyce Duarte joined AWAC in April, 2002 and is a professional liability underwriter in AWAC's casualty insurance department.

Stephen Jones was hired in July, 2002 and also works in the casualty insurance department as a professional liability underwriter.

Jaquita Ingham is also employed in the company's casualty insurance department as a general liability underwriter. Ms Ingham joined AWAC in March of this year.

Bermuda-headquartered conglomerate Cooper Industries, Ltd. announced the appointment of Martin D. Pint to the position of vice president, strategic accounts for its subsidiary company, Cooper Connection.

In this position, Mr. Pint will be responsible for co-ordinating the sales and marketing initiatives for Cooper's North American Electrical Products divisions.

B>Max Re Capital Ltd. announced that its chief financial officer Keith S. Hynes would speak at Keefe Bruyette & Woods' 2003 Insurance Conference on September 3, 2003.

The conference will be held at The Pierre, 2 East 61st Street, New York City.

Mr. Hynes presentation, which will take place at 4:20 p.m. local time, will be webcast live and can be accessed through the company's website at maxre.bm.