XL Group plc Names Eileen Whelley as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

DUBLIN, Ireland, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- XL Group plc ("XL" or the "Company") (NYSE:XL) today announced the appointment of Eileen Whelley as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Whelley succeeds Elizabeth L. Reeves, who is retiring.

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Since 2006, Ms. Whelley has been Executive Vice President, Human Resources for The Hartford Financial Services Group, a diversified financial services company with approximately 24,000 employees. Ms. Whelley's appointment is effective June 18, 2012.  She will report to XL's Chief Executive Officer Michael S. McGavick and will serve on XL's Leadership Team.

"We're thrilled to welcome Eileen to XL," said Mr. McGavick.  "Our ability to address our clients' needs is only as good as our people, and Eileen has a proven track record of attracting and retaining top talent and designing strategies to drive transformation and accountability at global companies.  I'm sure she will only accelerate the already substantial pace with which we have been attracting the industry's top leaders. We look forward to her contributions both to our Leadership Team and the entire Company."

Mr. McGavick continued:  "We are also sad to see Beth go.  Beth joined XL at my request, to build out a critical function as Chief Human Resources Officer, at a most important time for the Company.  Beth's impact is clearly visible in the leaders and teams we've added and in the way we've re-thought our approach to talent and development.  We wish Beth the best."

Prior to her time at The Hartford, Ms. Whelley spent 17 years at General Electric where she held a number of human resources leadership roles, including serving as Executive Vice President of Human Resources at GE's NBC Universal subsidiary from 2002 to 2006.  In this position, she oversaw HR through acquisitions of Telemundo and cable channel Bravo and led the HR integration of NBC's merger with Universal.  

Before joining NBCU, Ms. Whelley was the Vice President of Human Resources Excellence for GE Capital.  Before that she served in a variety of HR leadership roles at Employer's Reinsurance and at GE's corporate headquarters.  Prior to GE, Ms. Whelley worked for Citicorp and Standard Oil of Ohio in a number of HR roles.  She is a graduate of Potsdam College and has a master's degree from Bowling Green State University.

About XL Group plc

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 throughout the world. XL is the company clients look to for answers to their most complex risks and to help move their world forward. Its principal offices are located at No.1 Hatch Street Upper, 4th Floor, Dublin 2, Ireland. To learn more, visit www.xlgroup.com

SOURCE XL Group plc