Freisenbruch-Meyer Group announced the appointment of three new team members and one promotion, bucking the trend of companies making cut backs during the economic downturn.

Andrew Wright has joined the company as financial controller, Khalilah Phillips has rejoined as a life and pensions administrator and Antonia Mills has come on board as business development officer.

In addition, James Leman has been promoted from business development manager to vice-president of group employee benefits at the firm, with responsibility for the health, life and pensions departments, having successfully redefined the company's brand identity and increased its product awareness Islandwide.

Prior to joining Freisenbruch-Meyer, Mr. Wright was the strategic administrative director and controller at Tyco Electronics Ltd., where he was instrumental in establishing the company in Bermuda following its spin off from Tyco International Ltd.

Previous to that, he served as vice-president, group reporting manager and deputy head of financial reporting at the Bank of Bermuda HSBC for eight years and he has also been treasurer of the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre for 12 years and is currently honourary vice-president of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union.

Ms Phillips, who was previously at Freisenbruch-Meyer as a customer service representative in July 2002, moved into the medical industry in 2005, going on to acquire knowledge and experience within the hospitality and financial sectors, before returning to the insurer in November 2009.

Ms Mills, who joined the team in February, has an extensive resume, having worked at Aardvark Communications as a client services associate and Troncossi Public Relations as a junior associate.

Having gained a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Clarke Atlanta University, she worked in New York's fashion scene before returning to Bermuda and is also a member of YMSC Blue Birds Senior Netball team, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and volunteers as a committed partner in the Mirrors Programme.

"We are fortunate enough to have found such a talented group of people," said William Madeiros, vice-president and general manager of Freisenbruch-Meyer.

"Each one is excellent at what he/she does and I am confident they will be prosperous during their tenure, here, at Freisenbruch-Meyer Group.

"James is truly a man of many talents and has worn many hats within the company. He is a doer and completely exceeded all expectations.

"I am happy to call him my colleague and pleased to award him with such a deserving position."