Benfield, the world's leading independent reinsurance and risk intermediary, today announced that at the 12th All-Russian Reinsurance Conference which was recently held in Moscow, it was chosen as the Best International Reinsurance Broker 2007.  In a survey conducted prior to the conference, by insurers from Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Benfield was named as the best in its class.

Bruce Selby Bennett, Head of the Central & Eastern Europe team at Benfield commented, “The judges stated that Benfield received the accolade despite being the only leading broker without an office in Russia.  Winning this award demonstrates the market leading capabilities, hard work and dedication of our entire Russian team.  It is an excellent achievement and I congratulate the team.” 

The All-Russian Reinsurance Conference attracts several hundred representatives from leading insurance, reinsurance, broker and audit firms, insurance associations, government agencies and media organisations not only from Russia but also from around the world.  The conference has been hosted annually in Moscow since 1996.

“During the last five years, we have established a market share of approximately 50% of the motor and property excess of loss reinsurance market in Central and Eastern Europe.  Furthermore, in Russia we have now obtained around 15% of the marine and property excess of loss reinsurance market.  Our customer base in these regions now includes an increasing number of insurers,” added Bruce Selby Bennett.

Benfield first entered the Russian reinsurance market in 2003 and since then it has built a Russian speaking team of seven, including three Benfield ReMetrics Team Members, all based in Benfield’s Prague Office under the leadership of Tomas Novotny. 

For further press information, please contact:

David Bogg     
Benfield (UK)      
T: + 44 (0) 20 7522 4016    
E: David Bogg    

Peter Rigby/Fiona Gibson
Haggie Financial
T: +44 (0) 207 417 8989
E: Peter Rigby
E: Fiona Gibson

Notes to Editors:

About Benfield
Benfield is the world’s leading independent reinsurance and risk intermediary.  Its customers include many of the world’s major insurance and reinsurance companies as well as government entities and global corporations.  Benfield operates from more than 50 locations worldwide.  The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BFD.  www.benfieldgroup.com   

About Benfield ReMetrics:
Benfield ReMetrics offers a unique combination of transactional capabilities and specialist analytical and modelling skills and industry expertise to help structure optimal reinsurance and risk transfer solutions for customers.  Benfield ReMetrics is a global team of more than 200 technical specialists including actuaries, catastrophe modellers and risk consultants based in the UK, US, France, Germany and Australia.  Benfield ReMetrics specialists are also located in Brussels, Madrid, Prague, Toronto, Hamilton, Johannesburg and Singapore.