XL Group plc Announces Plans for Global Day of Giving and Other Silver Anniversary Activities

HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Group plc ("XL") (NYSE: XL) announced today that it plans to hold its sixth Global Day of Giving on Monday, May 16th. This employee volunteer day is dedicated to supporting the communities in which XL companies operate.

The Global Day of Giving, which began in 2006 when XL celebrated its 20th anniversary, is among several activities planned by XL to mark its 25th anniversary this year.

In addition to holding an Investor Day on June 7th in New York City, XL will celebrate its silver anniversary by highlighting thought leadership at various industry and XL events throughout the year. For example, in Switzerland, XL recently hosted a client and broker workshop at which keynote speaker Sven Gabor Janszky, one of Germany's most influential trend researchers, spoke about technology and the issues clients are likely to face in the future. In October, award-winning and inspiring business innovator Marc Lewis, Dean of the School of Communication Arts in London, will speak at XL's London biennial client seminar.  

XL's Chief Executive Officer, Mike McGavick, said: "We are proud to have reached this point in our history. And while it is important to reflect on XL's origins as part of the solution to a severe liability insurance capacity shortage in the U.S. and to acknowledge this milestone and those who have supported XL throughout the years, we are also focused on the future and how XL will continue contributing to the success of the industry and to the investors, clients and communities that we serve."

During this year's Global Day of Giving more than 100 projects are scheduled to address several major issues including:

Education: Activities range from teaching English and computer courses to children in poor areas in India and brightly painting the hallways of an early intervention preschool in New York to basic IT training for unemployed youth in Le Mans, France; creating a sensory board and repairing children's bikes at an organization in Munich, Germany that supports people with learning disabilities and their relatives; and exposing students at a magnet school in West Hartford, Connecticut and from disadvantaged areas of East London, UK to the business world and providing an overview of the insurance sector.

Environment:  Sprucing up parks, nature trails and reserves from Bermuda to Australia and many places in between; cleaning beaches and helping to preserve marine life in Stamford, Connecticut and Singapore; and painting and restoring historic and conservation areas around the world.

Homelessness/Poverty: Working with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild a home in Schaumburg, Illinois; repairing, painting and cleaning homeless shelters in Argentina, Bermuda, India, Spain and several cities in the US; donating, sorting and packing supplies at food banks in the US, Canada and India; cooking, serving meals and cleaning up at various institutions for the homeless.  

Youth Development: Spending a day at a rehabilitation center for youth in Milan, Italy and helping them with their daily chores; hosting a teambuilding day and cookout for children at a group foster home in Dallas, Texas; visiting a foster home in Brazil and with girls at an orphanage in Mexico and providing stationery, cleaning supplies and personal items.

Senior Care: Helping to prepare meals, serving lunch and/or playing games with seniors at various senior centers and homes; accompanying seniors in Hong Kong on a trip to local locations of interest; cleaning, gardening and painting at a senior citizen home in Toronto.

Animal Protection: Cleaning and painting various animal shelters in the UK, US, and Bermuda; gardening, repairing and assisting with administrative work at farms and animal sanctuaries; socializing animals, such as walking dogs, at several animal shelters in Switzerland, France and the US.

About XL

XL was formed in 1986 in response to the unmet risk management needs of 68 of the world's largest companies. This year, as XL celebrates its 25th anniversary, it remains the company clients look to for innovative insurance and reinsurance solutions for their most complex risks.  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. Its principal offices are located at No. 1 Hatch Street Upper, 4th Floor, Dublin 2, Ireland. More information about XL Group plc is available at www.xlgroup.com.

SOURCE XL Group plc