Bermuda-based Catlin Group Ltd. has announced the appointment of Martin Zingg as chief investment officer with effect from March 1.

Mr. Zingg will be based in Catlin's office in Zurich, Switzerland.

He will be responsible for investment strategy and the management of Catlin's $7 billion in cash and investments, reporting to Benjamin Meuli, Catlin's chief financial officer.

Mr. Zingg has held several investment management and financial positions at Swiss Reinsurance Company, which he joined in September 1995. He was most recently managing director-asset management and head of private equity in Zurich, responsible for Swiss Re's alternative investments and for managing the company's private equity investment portfolio and relationships.

Mr. Zingg has held other investment-related positions at Swiss Re in Zurich, Hong Kong and San Francisco. Before joining Swiss Re, he held banking positions at UBS in Zurich.

Mr. Meuli said: "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Zingg as Catlin's chief investment officer. Martin has acquired a wealth of investment experience and knowledge during his 15 years with Swiss Re, and I believe that he is the ideal person to lead Catlin's investment management operations."