Two of ACE's European operations have changed their names in a bid to keep their Bermuda identity.

As of the start of this month, ACE European Markets and ACE European Markets Reinsurance are trading under the business name of ACE Bermuda International (ABI).

In addition, the legal company names will change to ACE Bermuda International Insurance (Ireland) and ACE Bermuda International reinsurance (Ireland) respectively.

"The ACE Bermuda International brand will bring more clarity to the marketplace with regards to our business model and allow us to align the company more strategically with our parent company, ACE Bermuda," said Anup Seth, ACE Bermuda International managing director.

"It provides us with the flexibility to continue our geographic growth and expand the reach of our products to clients within Europe and beyond."

The Dublin-based ABI operations were established in 1997 to provide low-frequency, high-severity excess capacity to European and international clients, following the underwriting discipline and guidelines developed by ACE Bermuda. ABI also opened a London-based office in 2000.

ABI predominantly writes excess liability, excess property and professional lines business. Its dual insurance and reinsurance platforms allow clients to access its capacity via direct insurance or through facultative reinsurance.

Meanwhile, ABI has also announced the opening of a new box at Lloyd's of London to complement the company's business development strategy.

The box, which officially opened for business at the start of this month, will support ABI's international expansion and serve as an additional channel to market the company's existing products.

Stephen French, chief underwriting officer in ABI's London branch, said: "This is a significant milestone in the ongoing development and expansion of ABI's European and international business.

"This box gives us an additional distribution channel to reach and better serve our brokers and clients and provide access to our property, excess liability and professional lines capacity."