Silvy Wright assumes office of President and CEO of Northbridge

Northbridge Executive Changes

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited ( TSX:FFH and FFH.U) announces that Mark Ram has decided to retire as the President and CEO of Fairfax’s wholly-owned  Northbridge Financial Corporation subsidiary, effective May 15, 2011. Mark has been with the Fairfax organization for over twenty years and has been instrumental in its Canadian operations as the President and CEO of Northbridge and, prior there to, as the President of Markel Insurance Company of Canada.

Mark will continue to be available for consultation as Vice Chairman of Northbridge.

Silvy Wright, who has been with the Fairfax group for sixteen years and is currently the President of Markel, is assuming the office of President and CEO of Northbridge, resulting in a seamless transition.

Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO of Fairfax, commented,

“I want  to thank Mark for his outstanding performance and loyalty with Northbridge, Markel and Fairfax over more than twenty years. As one of our longest serving Presidents in the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry, he has created tremendous value for us. All of us at Fairfax wish him well in his future endeavours.

“We look forward to the future of Northbridge with Silvy Wright at the helm. Silvy has demonstrated that she has the skills, experience  and energy to assume the leadership of Northbridge.”

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management.