QBE North America announced that Russell Johnston will join QBEon May 31 as CEO of North American operations.

Johnston will succeed David Duclos, who is retiring from full-timeexecutive employment. Duclos has agreed to remain with QBE as a nonexecutive directorof QBE Emerging Markets and Equator Re and also agreed to offer his market expertiseto operational initiatives across QBE Group.

Johnston has more than 25 years' experience in the insuranceindustry in North America, and has held a range of senior business and operationalroles since joining American InternationalGroup Inc. in 1990. Johnston will be based in New York.

QBE North America is part of QBE Insurance Group Ltd.