Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited announced that George Jones, "at his own request and for personal reasons", has relinquished his duties as chief financial officer for an indefinite period of time.

In a release, the company said Mr. Jones will take on new responsibilities relating to resolution of reinsurance disputes and other special projects.

They said he will also continue to provide advice and counsel on corporate financial matters.

Anthony J. Del Tufo, a consultant to the company, was named acting chief financial officer. Mr. Del Tufo had been serving since June as the acting chief financial officer of Realm National Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Stirling Cooke.

Prior to assuming that role, he was chief financial officer of W.R. Berkley Corporation. Mr. Del Tufo had also been a partner in the insurance auditing practice of KPMG.

Stephen A. Crane, Chairman, president and chief executive officer, said: "George Jones' financial expertise and leadership have been invaluable to Stirling Cooke over the years. His change in duties at this time is a purely a matter of personal decision and nothing more. We are delighted that he has assumed the new responsibilities."