Document:

EXHIBIT 10.25
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EMPLOYMENT  ASSUMPTION  AND AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT,  dated as of  October 25, 1999
(the  "Agreement"),  between  Trenwick Group Inc., a Delaware  corporation  (the
"Company"), and Steven J. Bensinger ("Executive").

WHEREAS,  Chartwell Re Corporation  ("Chartwell") and the Executive entered into
an Employment Agreement,  dated March 6, 1992, as amended from time to time (the
"Employment Agreement"),  a copy of which, including all amendments, is attached
hereto as Exhibit A; and

WHEREAS,  the  Company  has agreed to assume the  Employment  Agreement  and the
Company  and the  Executive  have  agreed  to  make  certain  amendments  to the
Employment Agreement, all as set forth herein.

NOW,  THEREFORE,  the Company and  Executive  hereby  agree that the  Employment
Agreement shall be amended to provide as follows:

1.       Assumption

The Company hereby assumes the  Employment  Agreement as if the Company,  rather
than Chartwell, had been the signatory thereto and the Company and the Executive
hereby consent to the assumption  thereto by the Company and the substitution of
the Company for Chartwell in each place it appears in the  Employment  Agreement
and the  deletion  of  Chartwell  as a party  thereto,  subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

2.       Term and Non-Competition

The Company and the Executive hereby agree (i) to amend the Employment Agreement
to  extend  the Term  under  Section  2 of the  Employment  Agreement  to end on
December 31, 2000 and (ii) that, notwithstanding Section 10(b) of the Employment
Agreement,  the provisions of Section 10(b)(A) of the Employment Agreement shall
not apply to the Executive on or after the date of any  termination  pursuant to
Section 6 of the Employment Agreement.

3.       Position and Duties.

Section 3 of the Employment Agreement is hereby amendment to read as follows:

         "The  Executive  shall serve as Executive Vice President of the Company
         and shall have such  responsibilities  and duties  (consistent with his
         position  as  Executive  Vice  President)  as may from  time to time be
         assigned to the Executive by the Chief Executive  Officer and the Board
         and all of the  powers  and duties  usually  incident  to the office of
         Executive Vice President.  The Executive shall devote substantially all
         of his  working  time and  efforts to the  business  and affairs of the
         Company,  except for vacations,  illness or  incapacity.  The Executive
         also agrees to serve  without  additional  compensation,  if elected or
         appointed thereto, on the board of directors or as an executive officer
         of any  majority-owned  subsidiary  of the Company.  The  Executive may
         devote reasonable time to (i) insurance associations and charitable and
         civic  organizations,  (ii) managing  personal  investments,  and (iii)
         service  as a  director  or  member  of an  advisory  committee  of any
         corporation  not in  competition  with the Company,  provided  that the
         performance of his duties and responsibilities in such service does not
         interfere   substantially  with  the  performance  of  his  duties  and
         responsibilities under this Agreement."

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4.       Compensation and Benefits:

The term "Base  Salary" set forth in Section  5(a) of the  Employment  Agreement
shall  refer to the Base  Salary  as most  recently  determined  by the Board of
Chartwell  prior to the Merger (as defined in Section  6(a) of this  Agreement).
Section 5(k) of the  Employment  Agreement  shall be deleted in its entirely for
tax years  beginning  after  December 31, 1999.  Section 5(d) of the  Employment
Agreement  shall be amended to read as follows for periods after the date of the
Merger (defined in Section 6(a) of this Agreement):

         "5(d) Automobile.  During the Term, the Company shall provide Executive
         with  an  automobile  appropriate  to  his  status  as  Executive  Vice
         President of the Company and shall reimburse the Executive for the cost
         of reasonable and proper  maintenance,  insurance and parking  expenses
         for such automobile."

5.       Termination for Good Reason:

The  Executive  hereby  agrees  that  any  right he may  have to  terminate  his
employment  for "Good Reason" shall be based on the terms and  conditions of the
Employment Agreement as amended by this Agreement. The Company and the Executive
hereby amend Section 6(d)(iii) to read as follows:

         "(iii)  failure to be elected to the Board of the Company or failure to
         be  elected  President  of  the  Company  (provided  that a  Notice  of
         Termination has not been provided under this Agreement at such time),"

The  following  sentence  shall  be  added  to the  end of  Section  6(d) of the
Employment Agreement:

         "For the purpose of this Section 6(d),  the Company shall be treated as
         curing any failure to elect the Executive  under Section  6(d)(iii) if,
         prior to the earlier of November 1, 2001 or the time that the Executive
         gives Notice of Termination for "Good Reason" under Section  6(c)(iii),
         the Company provides the Executive with a letter signed by the Chairman
         of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company agreeing to
         place the  Executive's  name before the Board of Directors for election
         as a Director  of the Company  and as  President  of the Company by the
         earlier of the next meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company or
         within thirty (30) days after such written  notice and he is so elected
         within such time period."

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6.       Change of Control

        (a)    The  Company  and the  Executive  agree  that  (i) a  "Change  of
               Control" shall have occurred under the Employment  Agreement,  as
               amended  by  this  Agreement,   upon  the  merger  ("Merger")  of
               Chartwell into the Company ("Chartwell Change of Control"),  (ii)
               the  date  of  the  Chartwell  Change  of  Control  shall  be the
               effective  date  of the  Merger,  (iii)  for the  purpose  of the
               Chartwell  Change of  Control,  the two year  period set forth in
               Section 8(e) of the Employment Agreement shall be extended to end
               on December  31, 2001 and (iv) the term "Base  Salary" in Section
               8(e)(A) shall mean $ 375,000 and the term "highest  annual bonus"
               in Section 8(e)(B)(1) and (2) shall mean $187,500, subject to the
               provision for adjustment for Excise Tax.

        (b)    The  Company and the  Executive  hereby  agree that,  except with
               respect to the Chartwell  Change of Control,  the term "Change of
               Control" shall be amended to read as follows:

                   "For the Purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of
               the Company shall mean the first to occur of one of the following
               events:

               (i)         The  acquisition, in one  or  more transactions,  of
                           beneficial ownership(within the meaning of  Rule13d-3
                           under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  (the
                           "Exchange Act") by any person or entity or any  group
                           of persons or entities who constitute a group (within
                           the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), other
                           than a trustee or other fiduciary holding  securities
                           under an employee  benefit plan of the  Company or  a
                           subsidiary, of any securities of the Company if, as a
                           result of such acquisition, such  person,  entity  or
                           group either(A) beneficially owns (within the meaning
                           of  Rule 13d-3  under the Exchange Act), directly  or
                           indirectly,   more   than   50%  of  the    Company's
                           outstanding voting securities entitled to vote  on  a
                           regular basis for  a majority of  the members of  the
                           Board or (B) otherwise  has  the  ability  to  elect,
                           directly or indirectly, a majority of the members  of
                           the Board;

               (ii)        A change in the  composition of the Board such that a
                           majority   of  the  members  of  the  Board  are  not
                           Continuing Directors.  A "Continuing Director" means,
                           as of any date of  determination,  any  member of the
                           Board  who (A) was a member  of the Board on the date
                           of this  Agreement,  or (B) was nominated and elected
                           to such Board with the affirmative vote of a majority
                           of the  Continuing  Directors who were members of the
                           Board at the time of such nomination or election; or

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               (iii)       The stockholders  of the Company approve (A) a merger
                           or  consolidation  of  the  Company  with  any  other
                           corporation, othe   than a  merger  or  consolidation
                           which would result in the voting  securities  of  the
                           Company    outstanding   immediately   prior  thereto
                           continuing   to  represent   (either   by   remaining
                           outstanding or  by  being   converted   into   voting
                           securities of the surviving entity) at least  50%  of
                           the total voting  power  represented  by  the  voting
                           securities of the Company  or  such  surviving entity
                           outstanding  immediately   after   such   merger   or
                           consolidation, or (B) a plan of complete  liquidation
                           of the Company or an agreement   for   the  sale   or
                           disposition  by   the  Company    (in   one  or  more
                           transactions) of all  or  substantially  all  of  the
                           Company's assets."

(c)            The Company and the Executive  hereby agree that, other than with
               respect  to the  Chartwell  Change  of  Control  and any  amounts
               payable  under  the  Employment  Agreement  with  respect  to the
               Chartwell  Change  of  Control,  Section  8(f) of the  Employment
               Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:

                  "Notwithstanding  any other  provision of this Agreement or of
                  any  other  agreement,  understanding  or  compensation  plan,
                  Executive  shall not be entitled to receive any payment which,
                  taking into account all payments,  rights and benefits,  would
                  be deemed to be an "excess  parachute  payment"  under Section
                  280G (of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended),  and
                  the  amount of each  payment  shall be  reduced  to the extent
                  necessary to ensure that the Executive  receives no "parachute
                  payment" in connection with a Change of Control; provided that
                  no such  reduction  shall occur to the extent  that  Executive
                  shall have  elected to defer  receipt of  payments  beyond the
                  dates such payments were otherwise to be made to the Executive
                  ("Payment  Period") and such  deferral  shall have resulted in
                  the present value of such payment not  constituting an "excess
                  parachute  payment".  Any such  election by  Executive,  to be
                  effective  for  purposes  of this  Agreement:  (a)  must be in
                  irrevocable when made, (b) must be made in a writing delivered
                  to the Company prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control,
                  (c) must be for a period not be exceed  five  years  after the
                  date on which the Payment Period would  otherwise end, and (d)
                  must be  concurred  in by the  Company,  on the  basis  of the
                  advice  of its tax  advisors,  as  being  both  necessary  and
                  effective  to reduce the extent to which  payments  to be made
                  hereunder will constitute an "excess parachute  payment".  If,
                  at  any  future  date   following  the  making  of  a  payment
                  hereunder,  it shall have been determined by the IRS that such
                  payment was in excess of the limits set forth in Section 280G,
                  and such  excess  shall  not have been  caused by a  voluntary
                  action of the Executive not required by this  Agreement,  then
                  the  Executive  shall be entitled to receive from the Company,
                  and  the  Company   shall  pay  to  Executive   promptly  upon
                  notification to the Company of such  determination,  an Excise
                  Tax  Adjustment  Payment equal to the amount of all applicable
                  U.S.  federal,  state and local taxes (computed at the maximum
                  marginal rates and including  interest  penalties and any cost
                  of contest or defense and including any applicable Excise Tax)
                  imposed upon the Excise Tax Adjustment Payment."

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(d)            In the  event  that  the  Company  provides  to its  most  senior
               executives,  other than its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
               with a Change of Control  Agreement with  provisions  that are in
               the aggregate more  beneficial for these senior  executives  that
               those set forth in the Employment  Agreement,  as amended by this
               Agreement,  then the Company will  immediately  offer the same to
               the  Executive,  in lieu of those  set  forth  in the  Employment
               Agreement, as amended by this Agreement .

7.       Notice:

Section 11 of the Employment shall be amended to read as follows:

"Notice.  For the  purposes of this  Agreement,  notices,  demands and all other
communications  provided for in this Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when  delivered  to the  recipient,  addressed as
follows:"

                  If to the Executive:
                        Steven J. Bensinger
                        1049 Fifth Avenue, Apt. 11A
                        New York, NY 10028

                  If to the Company:
                        Trenwick Group Inc.
                        Second Floor
                        One Canterbury Green
                        Stamford, CT 06902
                        Attention:  James W. Billett, Jr.

8.       Termination and Miscellaneous:

This Agreement is conditioned  upon the Merger and, in the event the Merger does
not occur and the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger dated June 21, 1999 between the
Company and Chartwell is terminated for any reason, this Agreement shall be null
and void.  All  capitalized  terms  used in this  Agreement  shall have the same
meaning as called for by the Employment Agreement, unless otherwise indicated in
this  Agreement.  All of the  provisions  of  Sections  13-17 of the  Employment
Agreement shall apply to this Agreement as if set forth herein

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<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company and the Executive  have executed this
Agreement as of the date set forth above.

                                          TRENWICK GROUP INC.

                                          By: /s/ James F. Billett, Jr.
                                             ----------------------------
                                          Name:   James F. Billett, Jr.
                                          Title:  Chairman, Presisdent & Chief
                                                  Executive Officer

                                          EXECUTIVE

                                          By: /s/ Steven J. Bensinger
                                             ----------------------------
                                          Name:   Steven J. Bensinger
                                          Title:  President
Chartwell Re Corporation  hereby
consents to the  substitution of
Trenwick Group Inc. as a
party to the Employment Agreement
as of the date of the Merger.

Chartwell Re Corporation

By: /s/ John V. Del Col
   -----------------------------
Name:   John V. Del Col
Title:  Senior Vice President, General Counsel
        and Secetary

                                       6EXHIBIT 10.26

                            DATED: 26th October 1995

                            SOREMA (UK) UNDERWRITING
                             MANAGEMENT LIMITED                       (1)

                                      -and-

                       SOREMA (UK) REINSURANCE LIMITED                (2)

                                      -and-

                            RUSSELL JOHN ENGLISH                      (3)

                                SERVICE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE BETWEEN:

(1)      SOREMA  UNDERWRITING  MANAGEMENT  LIMITED  (Registered  Number 2279272)
         whose  registered  office is at 16 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1BD (the
         "Company") and

(2)      SOREMA (UK) REINSURANCE  LIMITED  (Registered  Number 2494812) whose
         registered office is at 16 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1BD ("Reinsurance")

(3)      RUSSELL JOHN ENGLISH (the "Executive") of 16, Onslow Road, Richmond,
         Surrey TW10 6QF.

WHEREAS:

The  Executive  has been  employed by the  Company as  Managing  Director of the
Company.  Specialist  Risk  Underwriters  Limited and Reinsurance and as General
Manager of SOREMA (UK) Group Limited  (collectively "the Associated  Companies")
and the parties  wish his  employment  as such by the Company to continue on the
terms and conditions set out in this Agreement in substitution  for any previous
agreement or arrangement.

IT IS AGREED:

1.       Appointment and term

         The Company shall employ the  Executive  and the Executive  shall serve
         the  Associated   Companies  as  Managing   Director  of  the  Company,
         Specialist  Risk  Underwriters  Limited and  Reinsurance and as General
         Manager of SOREMA (UK) Group  Limited  with effect from 1st March 1995.
         The Company by its Chairman of its Board of Directors may terminate the
         employment  at any time by  giving  not less than 24  calendar  months'
         notice in writing to the  Executive and the Executive may terminate the
         employment  at any time by  giving  not less  than 6  calendar  months'
         notice in writing to the  Company.  Both the Company and the  Executive
         are entitled to elect for the  Executive's  employment to be terminated
         by payment by the  Company in lieu of notice for all or any part of the
         period of notice  given by the  Company.  For  avoidance  of doubt such
         payment  shall  include but is not limited to salary,  bonus,  pension,
         motor car allowance,  medical  insurance,  death in service  assurance,
         permanent health insurance and subscriptions.

2.       Duties

               2.1      During his employment hereunder the Executive shall:

<PAGE>
                     (a)            perform the duties and  exercise  the powers
                                    and  functions  which  from time to time may
                                    reasonably  be  assigned to or vested in him
                                    by the Chairman or Board of  Directors  (the
                                    "Board")  of the  Company in relation to the
                                    Company and any  Associated  Company at such
                                    place or places within the United Kingdom as
                                    the Board shall determine,

                    (b)             during working hours devote the whole of his
                                    time,  attention  and  ability to his duties
                                    hereunder and shall  faithfully  and loyally
                                    serve the Company to the best of his ability
                                    and use his utmost  endeavors to promote its
                                    interests in all reasonable respects;

                            in   accordance   with   English  law  and  relevant
                            recommended  practices  applicable  to insurance and
                            reinsurance companies.

3.       Remuneration

               3.1         As   remuneration  for  his  services  hereunder  the
                           Company shall pay to the  Executive a  salary at  the
                           rate  of  One  Hundred  and  Forty   Thousand  Pounds
                           ((pound)140,000)  per  annum  (which shall be  deemed
                           to accrue  from day to day) payable by equal  monthly
                           installments  on the 25th day of each calendar  month
                           such salary being inclusive of any fees to which  the
                           Executive  may  be  entitled  as  a  director  of the
                           Company  or  of any  Associated  Company.   The  said
                           salary shall be reviewed  by the  Board on or  before
                           the 1st March  each year and the rate thereof may  be
                           increased with effect from many such review date.

               3.2         The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the
                           SOREMA (UK) Bonus Scheme and any replacement  thereof
                           particulars of which may be obtained from the Company
                           Secretary.

               3.3         For the purposes of the Wages Act 1986 and  otherwise
                           the Executive hereby consents to the deduction of any
                           sums properly owing by him to the Company at any time
                           from his  salary or from any other  payment  due from
                           the Company to the Executive and the Executive hereby
                           also agrees to make any payment to the Company of any
                           sums properly owed by him to the Company.

4.       Pension and Insurance Benefits

              4.1          The Executive shall be entitled to be a member of the
                           SOREMA   (UK)   Pension   Scheme   (the    "Scheme"),
                           particulars of which may be obtained from the Company
                           Secretary.  In addition  to the normal  contributions
                           made by the  Company  to the Scheme in respect of the
                           Executive   the  Company  will  make  an   additional
                           contribution of (pound)25,000 per annum in respect of
                           the  Executive,  such  contribution  to  be  adjusted
                           annually in accordance with the Retail Price Index on
                           the 1st March of each year.

<PAGE>

              4.2          The Company shall provide the Executive  with medical
                           insurance,   permanent  health  insurance,  death  in
                           service and life assurance,  particulars of which may
                           be obtained from the Company Secretary.

5.       Expenses

         The Company shall reimburse to the Executive all worldwide  travelling,
         hotel,   entertainment  and  other  expenses  properly  and  reasonably
         incurred by him in the performance of his duties hereunder and properly
         claimed  and  vouched  for in  accordance  with the  Company's  expense
         reporting procedure in force from time to time.

6.       Motor Car Allowance

         The Company shall pay to the Executive an annual motor car allowance at
         the rate of 17.5%  of his  salary  from  time to time  prevailing.  The
         allowance  shall be paid to the  Executive  in 12 monthly  installments
         paid with his salary on the 25th day of each calendar month.

7.       Holidays and holiday pay

                  7.1      In addition  to the normal  Bank and public  holidays
                           the  Executive  shall be entitled to 30 working days'
                           paid holiday  during each holiday year  commencing on
                           1st  October  each  year to be taken at such  time or
                           times as may be agreed with the Board.  The Executive
                           may  not  without  the  consent  of the  Board  carry
                           forward any unused part of his holiday entitlement to
                           a subsequent calendar year.

                  7.2      For the holiday year  during  which  the  Executive's
                           employment  hereunder terminates he shall be entitled
                           to such proportion of his annual holiday entitlement
                           as the period of his employment in such  year  bears
                           to one  holiday  year.  Upon  termination  of his
                           employment for whatever reason he shall if
                           appropriate either be entitled  to salary in lieu of
                           any outstanding  holiday  entitlement or be required
                           to pay to the Company any salary received in respect
                           of  holiday taken  in excess  of  his  proportionate
                           holiday entitlement.

8.       Sickness/incapacity

                  8.1      If the  Executive  shall  be  prevented  by  illness,
                           accident or other incapacity from properly performing
                           his  duties  hereunder  he  shall  report  this  fact
                           forthwith to the Company Secretary's office and if he
                           is so prevented for more than seven  consecutive days
                           he shall provide an appropriate doctor's certificate.

                  8.2      If the  Executive  shall be  absent  from his  duties
                           hereunder   owing  to  illness,   accident  or  other
                           incapacity  duly  certified  in  accordance  with the
                           provisions  of  clause  8.1 he shall be paid his full
                           remuneration  until six consecutive months of absence
                           have elapsed and thereafter such  remuneration as the
                           Board shall in its  discretion  allow  PROVIDED  THAT
                           there shall be deducted  from such  remuneration  any
                           Statutory  Sick Pay or any social  security  or other
                           benefits payable to the Executive  including any sums
                           recoverable  from a third party and any sums  payable
                           to the Executive under the permanent health insurance
                           arrangement referred to in clause 4.2 above.

<PAGE>

9.       Confidential information

                  The Executive shall not during his employment  hereunder (save
                  in the  proper  course  thereof)  or at  any  time  after  its
                  termination for any reason  whatsoever  disclose to any person
                  whatsoever or otherwise make use of any confidential or secret
                  information  of which he has or may have in the  course of his
                  employment hereunder become possessed concerning the business,
                  affairs,  finance,  customers  or  trade  connections  of  the
                  Company  or any  Associated  Company  or  any of its or  their
                  suppliers, agents, distributors or customers and shall use his
                  best  endeavours to prevent the  unauthorised  publication  or
                  disclosure of any such confidential or secret information.

10.      Termination on the happening of certain events

         (a)                The Company without prejudice to any remedy which it
                           may have  against  the  Executive  for the  breach or
                           non-performance  of  any of the  provisions  of  this
                           Agreement  may by notice in writing to the  Executive
                           forthwith  terminate  this Agreement if the Executive
                           shall:

                           (i)      be convicted of any criminal  offence (other
                                    than   an   offence   under   road   traffic
                                    legislation   in  the   United   Kingdom  or
                                    elsewhere  for  which a penalty  other  than
                                    imprisonment  for  three  months  or more is
                                    imposed); or

                           (ii)     be prevented by illness or otherwise from
                                    performing his duties  hereunder for a
                                    consecutive period of 9 calendar months; or

                           (iii)    be guilty  of any  serious  misconduct,  any
                                    conduct  tending  to bring  the  Company  or
                                    himself  into  disrepute,  or  any  material
                                    breach  or  non-observance  of  any  of  the
                                    provisions   of  this   Agreement  or  shall
                                    neglect  fail or refuse to carry out  duties
                                    properly assigned to him hereunder.

         (b)               Subject to the  provisions of Clause 10(c) below,  in
                           the  event  of  the  sale  or  cessation  of  all  or
                           substantially   all  of  the   business,   assets  or
                           undertaking   of   Reinsurance   and/or   Societe  de
                           Reassurance des Assurances  Mutuelles  Agricoles S.A.
                           and/or  SOREMA   International   Holding  N.V.,   the
                           Executive  shall be  entitled  to treat  such sale or
                           cessation as repudiation by the Company and on giving
                           to the Company  written  notice of acceptance of such
                           repudiation  within 6 calendar months of such sale or
                           cessation  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to the
                           compensation referred to at Clause 11(b).

         (c)               Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 10(b) above,
                           the   Executive   shall  not  be  entitled  to  treat
                           intra-SOREMA   group   transactions  as  constituting
                           repudiation by the Company of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

11.      Obligations upon termination of employment

         (a)      Upon the termination of his employment hereunder for whatever
                  reason  the Executive shall:

                     (i)            forthwith  tender  his   resignation  as  a
                                    Director  of   the  Company   and   of   any
                                    Associated  Company  without compensation;

                     (ii)           deliver  up to  the  Company  all  vehicles,
                                    keys,    credit    cards,    correspondence,
                                    documents,  specifications,  report,  papers
                                    and   records    (including   any   computer
                                    materials  such as discs or  tapes)  and all
                                    copies   thereof  and  any  other   property
                                    (whether or not similar to the  foregoing or
                                    any of them) belonging to the Company or any
                                    Associated  Company  which  may  be  in  his
                                    possession or under his control; and

                     (iii)          not at any time  represent himself still  to
                                    be connected with the Company or any
                                    Associated Company.

         (b)                        In  the  event  of  this   Agreement   being
                                    terminated  under Clause  10(b)  above,  the
                                    Executive   shall  be  entitled  to  receive
                                    payment  in  lieu  of  24  calendar  months'
                                    notice.
<PAGE>

12.      Covenant by Reinsurance
         Reinsurance  hereby  covenants  with the Executive that in the event of
         any  default  by the  Company  in the  performance  of its  obligations
         hereunder Reinsurance will pay the salary,  benefits and all other sums
         howsoever due to the Executive hereunder including any increased salary
         or benefits payable under the provisions  hereof on the days and in the
         manner  mentioned  herein and will duly  perform  and  observe  all the
         Company's  covenants and  obligations  contained  herein and in case of
         default in any such payments or in the performance or observance of the
         Company's covenants and obligations  Reinsurance will pay and make good
         to the  Executive  on demand all losses,  damages,  costs and  expenses
         thereby  arising or incurred by the Executive  provided always that any
         variation of the terms of this Agreement or the Executive's  employment
         in any manner which is not material to this covenant and any neglect or
         forbearance  by the  Executive  in  endeavouring  to obtain or  enforce
         payment of any sums due or observance  of any of the  Company's  duties
         hereunder  and any  time  which  may be  given  to the  Company  by the
         Executive  shall not release or  exonerate  or affect the  liability of
         Reinsurance under this covenant.

13.      Other terms and conditions

                  13.1     The  provisions of the Company's  standard  terms and
                           conditions of employment  and handbook shall apply to
                           the Executive's employment hereunder except so far as
                           inconsistent herewith.

                  13.2     The  following  particulars  are given in  compliance
                           with the  requirements of section 1 of the Employment
                           Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978.

                           (a)      The  Executive's  normal place of work is 16
                                    Eastcheap  London  EC3M  1BD  but  he may be
                                    required  to work  at any  other  office  or
                                    location in London as may be directed by the
                                    Board from time to time.

                           (b)      The Executive's  continuous employment began
                                    on 1st January  1994.  No  employment of the
                                    Executive with a previous employer counts as
                                    part   of   the    Executive's    continuous
                                    employment with the Company.

                           (c)      If the  Executive's  hours of work  shall be
                                    the  normal  hours  of work  of the  Company
                                    which  are from 9am to 5pm  Monday to Friday
                                    together with such  additional  hours as may
                                    be  reasonably   necessary  for  the  proper
                                    discharge of his duties hereunder.

                           (d)      If the  Executive is  dissatisfied  with any
                                    disciplinary  decision  or  if  he  has  any
                                    grievance   relating   to   his   employment
                                    hereunder he should refer such  disciplinary
                                    decision or  grievance  to the Board and the
                                    reference  will be dealt with by  discussion
                                    at and decision of a Board Meeting.

<PAGE>

                           (e)      Save as otherwise  herein provided there are
                                    no  terms  or   conditions   of   employment
                                    relating  to  hours  of  work  or to  normal
                                    working hours or to  entitlement  to holiday
                                    (including  public  holidays) or holiday pay
                                    or to incapacity for work due to sickness or
                                    injury or to pensions or pension schemes.

14.      Applicable law

         English law shall apply to this Agreement and the parties submit to the
         jurisdiction of the English Courts.

         IN WITNESS  whereof this deed has been duly  executed and  delivered on
         the 26th day of October 1995.

         Executed as a deed by      )
         the Company                )
         acting by                  )

         ----------------------------                  -------------------------
         Director                                         Director/Secretary

         Executed as a deed by Reinsurance  )
                                            )
         acting by                          )

         ----------------------------                  -------------------------
         Director                                          Director/Secretary

         Signed as a deed by the Executive  )
                                            )
         in the presence of                 )

         /s/ Joanne Merrick                                   31 Alexandra Road
         -----------------------------                 -------------------------
         Witness's name and signature                         St. Albans,
                                                       -------------------------
                                                              Witness's address

<PAGE>

ADDENDUM TO SERVICE AGREEMENT - IT IS HEREBY NOTED AND AGREED that:

(1)      in consequence of Board resolutions approved by SOREMA (UK) Limited and
         SOREMA (UK) Group Limited on 9th July,  1996,  and with effect from 9th
         July 1996
               (a)         SOREMA (UK) GROUP LIMITED (Registered Number 2488310)
                           whose registered office is at 16,  Eastcheap,  London
                           EC3M  1BD  ("Group")  shall  become  a  party  to the
                           Service  Agreement  dated 26th  October  1995 between
                           SOREMA  (UK)  Underwriting   Management  Limited  and
                           SOREMA (UK)  Reinsurance  Limited  and  Russell  John
                           English ("the Executive")

               (b)         Group shall  covenant with the Executive in the terms
                           of  Clause  12 of the  said  Agreement,  in  place of
                           SOREMA  (UK)  Reinsurance  Limited  and  SOREMA  (UK)
                           reinsurance   Limited  shall  be  released  from  all
                           liability in respect of the said covenant

(2)      with effect from 1st March 1996 the Executive's salary at clause 3.1 of
         the said Agreement shall be amended from One Hundred and Forth Thousand
         Pounds  ((pound)140,000)  per  annum to One  Hundred  and  Forty  Seven
         Thousand Pounds ((pound)147,000) per annum
(3)      the terms and conditions of the said Agreement shall  otherwise  remain
         unchanged.
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS  whereof this deed has been duly  executed and  delivered on the 12th
day of July 1996.

         Executed as a deed by      )
         SOREMA (UK) Underwriting Management Limited
         acting by                  )

         /s/ David Leaper                                 /s/ Ginette Handfield
         ----------------------------                     ----------------------
         Director                                           Director/Secretary

         Executed  as a deed by  Reinsurance  )
         SOREMA  (UK)  Limited  (formerly
         SOREMA (UK) reinsurance Limited)
         acting by                            )

         /s/ Andrew Okell                                  /s/ Joanne Merrick
         -----------------------------                    ----------------------
         Director                                         Director/Secretary

         Executed as a deed by Group          )
         acting by                            )

         /s/ Andrew Okell                                   /s/ Joanne Merrick
         ----------------------------                     ----------------------
         Director                                           Director/Secretary

         Signed as a deed by the Executive     )
         in the presence of                    )

          /s/ Andrew Shirley                                /s/ Russell English
         -----------------------------                     ---------------------
         Andrew Shirley                                     20 Bowes Wood
         Witness's name and signature                       New Ash Green, Kent
                                                             DA3 8QJ
                                                           ---------------------
                                                            Witness's address

<PAGE>

ADDENDUM TO SERVICE AGREEMENT - IT IS HEREBY NOTED AND AGREED that:

(1)      with effect from 1st October  1996 clause 4.1 of the Service  Agreement
         between  various  SOREMA (UK)  companies and Russell John English ("the
         Executive")  dated  26th  October  1995  shall  be  amended  to read as
         follows:

4.1      "The  Executive  shall be  entitled  to be a member of the SOREMA  (UK)
         Pension  Scheme (the  "Scheme"),  particulars  of which may be obtained
         from the Company  Secretary.  In  addition to the normal  contributions
         made by the Company to the Scheme the Company will make such additional
         contribution  in respect of the Executive as is  equivalent,  after the
         deduction  of tax, to 21% of his salary  from time to time  prevailing.
         All contributions payable by the Company under the Scheme in respect of
         the  Executive  shall  be paid  free  of tax to the  extent  that  such
         payments do not exceed the earnings  limitation  approved by the Inland
         Revenue  for  tax  exempt  pension   schemes   according  to  statutory
         provisions  from time to time  prevailing.  All other payments  payable
         under the Scheme in  respect of the  Executive  into  pension  funds or
         similar investments approved by the Trustee of the Scheme shall be paid
         gross of any tax payable in consequence of the contributions  exceeding
         the earnings limitation approved by the Inland Revenue."

(2) the  terms and  conditions  of the said  Agreement  shall  otherwise  remain
unchanged.

IN WITNESS  whereof this deed has been duly  executed and  delivered on the 24th
day of September 1996.

         Executed as a deed by      )
         SOREMA (UK) Underwriting Management Limited
         acting by                  )

         /s/ Andrew Okell                              /s/ Ginette Handfield
         --------------------------                    -------------------------
         Director                                          Director/Secretary

         Executed as a deed by Reinsurance  )
         SOREMA (UK) Limited                )
         acting by                          )

          /s/ Andrew Okell                               /s/ Joanne Merrick
         --------------------------                      -----------------------
         Director                                         Director/Secretary

<PAGE>

         Executed as a deed by Group        )
         acting by                          )

         /s/ Andrew Okell                                  /s/ Joanne Merrick
         --------------------------                      -----------------------
         Director                                          Director/Secretary

         Signed as a deed by the Executive  )
         in the presence of                 )

                                                          /s/ Russell English
                                                         -----------------------
         /s/ Alison Moore                                     7 Tudor Close
         ---------------------------                     -----------------------
         Witness's name and signature                       Stienfield, Essex
                                                         -----------------------
                                                            Witness's address

<PAGE>

                                 DEED OF WAIVER

THIS DEED is made the 27th day of February 1998

BY:

(1)      RUSSELL JOHN ENGLISH of 16 Onslow Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6QS (the
         "Employee")

(2)      SOREMA (UK) UNDERWRITING  MANAGEMENT LIMITED a company  incorporated in
         the United  Kingdom with  registered  number  2279272 whose  registered
         office is at 16 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1BD (the "Company")

(3)      TRENWICK GROUP INC, a corporation organised under the laws of the State
         of Delaware,  United States of America,  whose  principal  office is at
         Metro Center, One Station Parade,  Stamford,  Connecticut 06902, United
         States of America ("Trenwick").

RECITALS:

(A)      Trenwick  has agreed to  purchase  all of the issued  share  capital of
         Sorema  (UK)  Group  Limited  (the   "Transaction")   from  Societe  de
         Reassurance des Assurances Mutuelles Agricoles SA ("Sorema SA") under a
         Share Purchase  Agreement  entered into between  Trenwick and Sorema SA
         (the "Share Purchase Agreement") on 16 January 1998.

(B)      Sorema (UK) Limited and the Company are both wholly-owned  subsidiaries
         of Sorema (UK) Group Limited.

(C)      The Employee entered into a Service Agreement dated  26  October  1995
         (the "Service Agreement") with the Company.

(D)      Clause  10(b) of the Service  Agreement  provides  that the Employee is
         entitled to treat a sale of all or  substantially  all of the  combined
         assets or undertaking of the Sorema SA and/or of Sorema (UK) Limited as
         a repudiatory breach by the Company of the Service Agreement.

(E)      The Employee  agrees to waive his right to treat the  transaction  as a
         repudiatory breach by the Company of the Service Agreement on the terms
         and conditions set out in this Deed.

<PAGE>

TERMS AGREED:

1.       In consideration  of the sum of one pound sterling  ((pound)1) from the
         Company and from  Trenwick,  the receipt of which the  Employee  hereby
         acknowledges, the Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

1.1      waives his right under Clause  10(b) of the Service  Agreement to treat
         the  Transaction or any act done by Sorema SA,  Trenwick or Sorema (UK)
         Group Limited or any event occurring in connection with the Transaction
         under the terms and  conditions  of the Share  Purchase  Agreement as a
         repudiation by the Company of the Service Agreement; and

1.2      covenants not to claim from the Company as a result of the  Transaction
         the compensation referred to in Clause 11(b) of the Service Agreement.

Executed as a Deed on the date first mentioned above.

SIGNED and DELIVERED as a DEED      )
by RUSSELL JOHN ENGLISH             )
in the presence of:                 )        /s/ Russell J. English
                                             ------------------------------

Witness: /s/ L. I. Wade
         -------------------------
            Lauren Wade

EXECUTED as a DEED                  )
by SOREMA (UK) UNDERWRITING         )
MANAGEMENT LIMITED by the           )
signature of:                       )        /s/  D. Leaper
                                             ------------------------------
                                             Director: D. Leaper

                                             /s/ Joanne Merrick
                                             ------------------------------
                                             Secretary: J. Merrick

EXECUTED as a DEED                  )
for and on behalf of                )
TRENWICK GROUP INC                  )                /s/ J. F. Billett, Jr.
                                             ------------------------------
                                             President and Chief
                                             Executive Officer

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