-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GOMJa3N6QrUpXrT7PqQ6R/PnT+rlnLqIdUpoKPU7lvAx7LFDuKmxvJmq7+3jEa5v rWgZKoJX16dfPybmP3JXbA== 0000899140-03-000243.txt : 20030306 0000899140-03-000243.hdr.sgml : 20030306 20030306124245 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000899140-03-000243 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20030304 ITEM INFORMATION: Other events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20030306 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BERKLEY W R CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000011544 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331] IRS NUMBER: 221867895 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15202 FILM NUMBER: 03594254 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 475 STEAMBOAT ROAD STREET 2: . CITY: GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06830 BUSINESS PHONE: 2036293000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 475 STEAMBOAT ROAD STREET 2: . CITY: GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06830 8-K 1 be891355b.txt CURRENT REPORT As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2003 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 4, 2003 W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 0-7849 22-1867895 - --------------- ---------------- ------------- (State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.) incorporation) 475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 ---------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 629-3000 -------------- Not Applicable ------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Item 5. Other Events Reference is made to the press release of W. R. Berkley Corporation (the "Company") relating to the announcement of the Company's intention to form a United Kingdom authorized insurance company, the engagement of Stuart Wright as the to-be-formed company's chief executive officer, and the Company's discussions with Kiln plc about Kiln holding a minority interest in the new company. The press release was issued on March 4, 2003. A copy of the press release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Company has indicated that it may capitalize the United Kingdom company with up to 100 million pounds sterling over the next two years. Formation of the United Kingdom company is subject to regulatory and certain other approvals. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Financial statements of businesses acquired: None. (b) Pro forma financial information: None. (c) Exhibits: 99.1 Press Release dated March 4, 2003 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION By: /s/ Eugene G. Ballard ------------------------------- Name: Eugene G. Ballard Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Date: March 6, 2003 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit: - ------- 99.1 Press Release dated March 4, 2003 EX-99.1 4 be891355c.txt PRESS RELEASE EXHIBIT 99.1 - ------------------------------------------- W. R. Berkley Corporation NEWS 475 Steamboat Road RELEASE Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 (203) 629-3000 - ------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eugene G. Ballard Chief Financial Officer 203-629-3000 W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION ANNOUNCES INTENTION OF FORMING U.K. OPERATION Greenwich, CT, March 4, 2003 -- W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: BER) announced today that it intends to form a United Kingdom authorized insurance company. It is expected that the enterprise will be London-based and will specialize principally in writing domestic U.K. casualty risks. It is anticipated that the company will commence operation in the third quarter of 2003. The formation of the company is subject to certain approvals, including the approval of the U.K. Financial Services Authority. Stuart Wright, former Director Professional Liabilities of ACE Global Markets, has been engaged to be the company's chief executive officer. Mr. Wright has over 20 years' experience in the casualty insurance business. Kiln plc, the London based insurance and reinsurance group in which W. R. Berkley Corporation currently holds 20.1% of the share capital, is in discussions with W. R. Berkley Corporation about holding a minority interest in the company. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company which operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance, regional property casualty insurance and international. # # # -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----