NU Online News Service, Aug. 3, 2:47 p.m.EDT

The Americas Division of Australian insurer/reinsurer QBEannounced the appointment of Stephen Fitzpatrick as president ofQBE Specialty Insurance, replacing Susan Rivera, who resigned inJune.

Mr. Fitzpatrick previously served as senior vice president andmanager for the firm's special lines and affinity group business,the company said.

As vice president Mr. Fitzpatrick oversaw QBE Specialty'scustomized program business for specific industry groups anddirected operations in Itasca, Ill.; Jacksonville, Fla.; KansasCity, Kan.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Southfield, Mich.

QBE Specialty Insurance is the largest business unit within theAmericas Division, contributing more than $1.5 billion of grosswritten premium in 2008.

The specialty unit includes the underwriting programs of QBE andthe former Praetorian Financial Group and North Pointe InsuranceCompany and writes in all 50 states.

Mr. Fitzpatrick has 33 years of industry experience, includingsix years with the Insurance Corporation of Hannover, the parentcompany of Praetorian, which QBE acquired in 2007.

Mitchell Luedtke, who has served as vice president, speciallines and affinity group, will now lead that line of business assenior vice president under Mr. Fitzpatrick, the company said.

QBE Insurance Group Limited is based in Sydney, Australia; theAmericas Division, headquartered in New York, conducts businessthrough various property and casualty insurance subsidiaries ineight countries.