OneBeacon Insurance Group, a division of White Mountains, has elected Raymond Barrette, 56, and Ira Malis, 47, as directors.

Mr. Barrette will serve as a Class III director and Malis will serve as a Class II director.

OneBeacon's board of directors has also authorised the company to repurchase up to $200 million of its Class A Common Shares from time to time, subject to market conditions.

New director Mr. Barrette is chairman and CEO of White Mountains Insurance Group and originally joined White Mountains in 1997. He retired in 2005 but was named chairman when he rejoined in January 2007.

He also served as CEO of Massachusetts-headquartered OneBeacon from 2001 through 2002. Prior to joining White Mountains, Mr. Barrette's career spanned 23 years in the insurance industry, primarily with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, where he held several executive positions including president of the personal insurance division.

Mr. Malis was a senior vice president with Legg Mason Capital Management from March 2004 through August 2007. He spent seven years with Legg Mason overseeing various research functions. His previous experience included 16 years serving in a variety of research and consulting positions.

Mike Miller, CEO of OneBeacon, said: "We are very pleased to welcome both Ray and Ira to our Board, and look forward to their considerable insight into our business."

The share repurchases announced by the company may be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.

OneBeacon Insurance Group is one of the oldest property and casualty insurers in the US.