Dr. Ramani Ayer has had an outstanding career in the field of insurance and financial management.

Dr. Ayer joined The Hartford, one of the oldest and largest international insurance and financial enterprises in USA, in 1973 and rose up through the rank in the organisation. He was elected Assistant Secretary and Staff Assistant to the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Hartford in 1979 and in 1983 he was named Vice President of HartRe, The Hartford’s reinsurance subsidiary. In 1986, Dr. Ayer was named President of Hartford Speciality Company. He was elected a Senior Vice President of The Hartford in 1989, and Executive Vice President in 1990.

Subsequently, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Hartford’s property- casualty operations, a post to which he was elected in 1991. He has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since February 1997.

Dr. Ayer earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in chemical engineering from Drexel University.

Other important positions held by Dr. Ayer include : Vice Chairman of the American Insurance Association, member of the Listed Company Advisory Committee to the New York Stock Exchange Board of Directors, a board member of the American Institute of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters/insurance Institute of America; and a board member of the Insurance Information Institute. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Hartford Hospital and The Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce and is a trustee of the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Conn.