David Ezekiel has been named Market Leader of the Year by the Bermuda Insurance Institute for his efforts in lobbying Government on behalf of the Island? s international business sector.

The BII yesterday announced the award to Mr. Ezekiel, who is president and managing director of international advisory services Ltd. (IAS) and is head of the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC), which represents international companies in Bermuda.

The BII said Mr. Ezekiel ?has been instrumental in lobbying Government on behalf of the Island?s international business community. ?He also emerged still firmly in charge of IAS, a leading captive management firm that survived the financial deterioration of its one-time parent, Mutual Risk Management.?

The BII also announced that the former publisher of Business Insurance magazine Kathryn J. McIntyre, who left the magazine to move to Matapouri, New Zealand, has been named as the recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ms McIntyre was a strong supporter of Bermuda as an insurance market, and through her efforts, Business Insurance was the first industry publication to recognise Bermuda as a substantial market, said a Press release from the BII.

Business Insurance is a leading authority in the reporting and analysing of industry news and Ms McIntyre worked there for decades and he columns were among the most well-read in the business.

The annual awards will be presented during the BII?s gala black-tie dinner and awards ceremony on Saturday March 20 at XL House, the global headquarters of XL Capital Ltd. on Bermudiana Road.

This is the sixth year the awards have recognised the contributions of outstanding individuals whose initiative and leadership in the insurance world sets them apart from their industry peers. The awards observe the global significance of the Bermuda market and are in keeping with the BII?s commitment to excellence in preparing the industry?s future innovators and leaders.

2003 David Ezekiel Kathryn McIntyre

2002 Jim Bryce (IPC) Bob Newhouse

2001 Michael Butt Robert Clements

2000 Jim Stanard Brian Hall

1999 Brian O?Hara Ernest Stempel

1998 Brian Duperreault Fred Reiss (posthumously)