European Head of Retail

Hiscox PLC
11 May 2005

                            HISCOX PLC ANNOUNCEMENT
                                  Appointment

Hiscox plc, the leading specialist insurer announced today the appointment of
Marc van der Veer as Managing Director for the group's retail operations in
Europe.

Marc will be based in Paris and will report to Chief Executive, Bronek Masojada,
in his capacity as acting Managing Director of Hiscox UK and Europe.  The
European country heads in Germany, France and Benelux will report directly to
Marc.

Bronek Masojada said:
'This appointment reflects our commitment to developing a substantial,
profitable business in Europe, building on the footholds we have already
created.'

Marc  (39 years)  joins from XL where he was responsible for D&O underwriting
for Continental Europe.  Marc has been at XL for 4 years and prior to that he
worked at Chubb and Executive Risk.

He was responsible for establishing Executive Risk in continental Europe and 
building its D&O business base before it was taken over by Chubb.

                               -          ends -

For further information:

Hiscox plc
Bronek Masojada     Chief Executive             020 7448 6012
Stuart Bridges      Finance Director            020 7448 6013
Fiona Fong          Director of Communications  020 7448 6447

The Maitland Consultancy

Philip Gawith                                   020 7379 5151
Suzanne Bartch                                  020 7399 5151

Notes to editors

Hiscox plc is a specialist insurance group listed on the London Stock Exchange
where it has a market capitalization of circa £500 million. There are three main
underwriting parts of the Group - Syndicate 33 at Lloyd's, UK Retail and
International Retail. Syndicate 33 underwrites mainly internationally traded
business in the London Market - generally large or complex business which needs
to be shared with other insurers or needs the international licenses of Lloyd's.
The UK Retail business offers a wide range of specialist insurance for
professionals and business customers, as well as high net worth individuals. It
has regional offices in Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Maidenhead and Colchester.
The International Retail business has offices in Paris, Amsterdam, Munich,
Brussels and Guernsey. The European offices write mainly high value household
business and some specialist professional indemnity business. The Guernsey
office underwrites kidnap and ransom business and fine art. For further
information, go to www.hiscox.com






                      This information is provided by RNS
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