A high-profile insurance brokerage start-up ? Integro? is getting ready to give longstanding players a run for their money with the announcement yesterday that it has ramped up its ranks by hiring away some heavyweight industry veterans from rival Marsh & McLennan.

The company, which was established last month to fill a void left by scandals over improper dealings between brokers and the insurers they place business for, is already flush with cash and ready for business after securing millions of dollars in backing from private equity investors.

Although a new kid on the block, Integro is turning heads because it is headed by famed insurance industry veteran Bob Clements as well as two other insurance stalwarts that Mr. Clements, a former Marsh & McLennan president, recruited from his days with the leading brokerage now under a cloud.

Beleaguered Marsh hit hard times last year when New York attorney general Eliot Spitzer launched a civil suit alleging broker compensation abuses and illegal bid rigging between the broker and some of the firms it bought insurance from to fulfil client's risk management needs.

The two joining Mr. Clements at Integro, also former Marsh executives, were Peter Garvey and Roger Egan. The trio have said Integro ? from the Latin word meaning 'make well, make better' ? is designed to offer a fresh alternative for a sector now tarnished by the allegations of industry abuses.

In a Press statement yesterday, Mr. Garvey said while Integro may be a young company, its five latest staff appointments increased its stature. All the new hires are joining Integro from careers with Marsh.

"The naming of these notable industry professionals is a testament to the appeal of Integro's fresh new business model for offering premier, disciplined broking to commercial and institutional clients worldwide.

"Their individual and collective expertise will be an invaluable catalyst in building the Integro organisation to serve clients with complex insurance needs worldwide," he said.

Integro's latest recruits are Frank M. Gundersen, a former Marsh executive, who has been named managing director, head of the New York office; Jeffrey B. Wingate, also a former Marsh executive has been made managing director, head of client development and is also to be based in New York.

Alexandra E. Littlejohn , takes up the role of managing director, head of Worldwide Casualty.

Most recently, Ms Littlejohn served as a managing director of Marsh with responsibility for clients seeking casualty insurance. Marc R. Kunney, who is also coming to Integro from Marsh, was named managing director, head of the San Francisco office.And Bruce L. Scollin, takes up the post of managing director with responsibility for sales and client management within Integro's San Francisco office. Prior to joining Integro, he served as managing director, global development for Marsh's San Francisco office.

Integro is headquartered in New York but intends to be a global outfit with an office already established on the Island as well as in in San Francisco, Chicago and Toronto. The company said it also intends to open offices in London and other selected US cities soon.

Mr. Clements is no stranger to Bermuda with founding ties to at least four of the Island's established insurance and reinsurance companies. He is best known on the Island as being instrumental to the formation of both ACE Limited and XL Capital.

He has called his new firm a good fit for "a talented broker who cares tremendously about them [clients and their business. We're creating a home for those brokers and their clients."