NU Online News Service, Dec.7, 2:03 p.m.EST

QBE's Americas Division said Steven L. Sheinheit has beenappointed chief strategy and technology officer for the Australianinsurer's U.S. branch.

Mr. Sheinheit previously served as executive vice president andchief information officer at MetLife, where he was responsible forinformation technology worldwide.

QBE America said Mr. Sheinheit will lead the strategy andtechnology team, which will develop and execute corporate andbusiness strategies and deploy technologies across the company.

The firm said he has extensive experience in insurance andfinancial services and before taking his MetLife post he wasexecutive vice president and corporate chief information officer atChase Manhattan Bank.

"We are pleased to have Steve on board to lead this effort toalign our business strategy and technology functions," said JohnRumpler, president of QBE's Americas Division. "He brings a strongcombination of leadership and hands-on experience to furtherstrengthen our company's operations."

QBE Insurance Group Limited is based in Sydney, Australia.