Mr. Wood is the chief executive officer and founder of Direct Line Insurance PLC, Britain's fastest growing general insurance company.

"Peter Wood is recognised throughout the world for his entrepreneurial achievements, his leadership in insurance technology innovation and his knowledge of the European market,'' said Centre Cat chairman Mr. Michael Palm.

Mr. Wood joins representatives of Centre Cat investors Zurich Centre Investments, Chubb Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Chemical Bank and the pension funds of General Motors and AT&T on the board.

*** Mr. James A. Ziral has been hired as a public relations consultant for Princess Properties in Bermuda. He took up his duties in the first week of December.

Mr. Ziral is a former associate editor of the Bermudian magazine and a former editor of Bermuda Times.

The Warwick resident also wrote the text for the book, "Emeralds on a Silver Zone''.

*** Grosvenor Trust Company Ltd., recently announced the appointment of Ms Leslie Bosendorfer as trust officer. Prior to joining Grosvenor, she was with Bermuda Trust Company Ltd. for four and one-half years.

The company also appointed Ms Joanne Furbert-Mancini as assistant trust officer. A Bermudian, she joined Grosvenor after 13 and one-half years with Bermuda Trust Company Ltd. where she was trust administration supervisor.

Bermudian Ms Jane Simmons has been named office administration manager. She previously worked with Hemisphere Management Ltd. as an executive secretary.

Mr. James Ziral