Byrne Named President, CEO of General Re Financial Products

General Re Corporation says it has named Mark Byrne president and chief executive officer of General Re Financial Products (GRFP). Anthony Iliya, GRFP's former president and CEO, has resigned from GRFP to pursue new business interests.

Byrne is also president and CEO of West End Capital Management Limited, a Bermuda investment management firm engaged primarily in fixed income arbitrage. West End Capital manages more than $800 million in net assets, primarily for subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway.

Byrne, along with his professional staff, will continue to manage and oversee West End Capital. Byrne will be based in GRFP's London office.

"Mark Byrne is a proven capital markets and investment professional with extensive experience in fixed income and foreign exchange cash and derivative markets. We are very pleased that Mark is joining GRFP to develop its future business plans and maximize the value of its businesses, risk management capabilities and trading skills," said Ronald Ferguson, chairman and chief executive officer of Stamford, CT-based General Re Corporation.

Prior to founding West End Capital, Byrne held a variety of trading and management positions at Salomon Brothers, PIMCO, Lehman Brothers and, most recently, Credit Suisse First Boston. His 14 years of professional experience have included management responsibility over global trading organizations with assignments in the United States, Japan, England, France and Bermuda.

General Re Corporation, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, is a holding company for global reinsurance and related risk management operations.