HCC MERGES LLOYD'S SYNDICATES 4040 AND 4141

US-based specialty p/c insurer HCC Insurance Holdings has received approval from Lloyd's to merge syndicate 4040 into syndicate 4141 for the 2010 year of account. The Texas-based group said that it has completed the buy-out of syndicate 4040's external names. The merger of the syndicates coincides with the arrival of Tony O'Connor as underwriter of property treaty reinsurance business for syndicate 4141, commencing in January. The merged syndicate will also be able to write energy, marine hull and D&O liability lines next year, said Barry Cook, chairman and chief executive of HCC Insurance Holdings (International).