XL Insurance Adds Martha Gaines to Surety Unit

BALTIMORE, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Insurance, the global insurance operations of XL Group plc (NYSE: XL), today announced the appointment of Martha Gaines to its Surety division.  Ms. Gaines joins XL Insurance as Vice President, Surety reporting to David Hewett, head of North American Surety.  

According to Mr. Hewett, "Today, contractors must carefully protect their balance sheets and profit margins.  To help, we are taking a very different team approach enlisting industry expertise like Martha to help our clients effectively address changing surety needs in today's project environment.  Martha adds significant expertise and experience in conducting financial and operational analysis of construction contractors to provide strategic counsel on organizational and operational risks."

"Her insight will prove valuable to our clients as they look to address their surety needs, adjust to new construction delivery methods and manage financial issues facing much of the Construction industry," Mr. Hewett continued.  "Many contractors value a good solid relationship with their insurers and we intend to assure they reap considerable value from how we deliver our products and services."

Ms. Gaines joins XL Insurance from a private law firm specializing in surety and construction law with a focus on complex construction and surety matters. She has extensive experience in client enterprise risk management review, contesting contractor default and termination claims, as well as preparing and analyzing delay and suspension claims, and claims for extra work on public construction projects.  Prior to her tenure in private practice, she was a Director with The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. handling the largest and most complex surety matters for the company. Ms. Gaines graduated from the University of Maryland School Of Law.  

About XL Insurance

"XL Insurance" is the global brand used by member insurers of XL Group plc (NYSE: XL). More information about XL Insurance is available at www.xlinsurance.com. XL Group plc, through its subsidiaries, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty, and specialty products to industrial, commercial, and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. More information about XL Group is available at www.xlgroup.com.

SOURCE XL Insurance