An organisation representing Bermuda's biggest insurers has recruited Leila Madeiros, former deputy director of policy research and communications at the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Mrs. Madeiros joined the the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, an organisation formed in recent years to represent the regulatory interests of the Island's global insurers and reinsurers, on May 1 as assistant director and corporate secretary.

In this post, Mrs. Madeiros will work closely with executive director Brad Kading, who splits his time between ABIR's Bermuda and Washington offices. The association, which counts on the membership dues of 22 'class four' insurers and reinsurers for its revenues, has the primary mandate of working with regulators here and overseas.

"The association and the Government are committed to meeting international regulatory standards (for the largest Bermuda-based insurers) and Mrs. Madeiros will be an aid to both the Government and to the association in meeting these ever changing regulatory tests," Mr. Kading said. ABIR's members, the majority of whom are publicly traded and count market capitalisations in the billions of dollars, are subject to significant regulatory requirements, given their international market prominence.

Mrs. Madeiros is ideally suited to work with ABIR on these issues, ABIR said in a statement, pointing out that she had directed public policy and research activities for the BMA, the Island's financial services regulator, including working on development of international insurance regulatory standards.

"She will be an invaluable aid to the association in fulfilling its regulatory goals in Bermuda and around the world," said Mr. Kading.

Mrs. Madeiros has nine years of regulatory experience, and more than 11 years of industry experience, formerly with Heddington Insurance Ltd., including three years in its London office.

A Bermudian, Mrs. Madeiros is an example of the "exceptional home-grown talent that has developed on the island as the insurance market has grown and matured," said Mr. Kading. Bermuda counts at least 13 of the world's top 40 reinsurers, according to Standard & Poor's.

Mrs. Madeiros is married to Jeremy Madeiros, Government Conservation Officer. The couple have two children.