Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(B)(3)
Registration Number 333-175398

 

 

PROPOSED MERGER — YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

 

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (“Allied World”) and Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (“Transatlantic”) have agreed to a “merger of equals” business combination of the two companies pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 12, 2011 (the “merger agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, GO Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allied World (“Merger Sub”), will merge with and into Transatlantic (the “merger”), with Transatlantic surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allied World. Upon completion of the merger, Allied World will be the parent company of Transatlantic and Allied World’s name will be changed to “TransAllied Group Holdings, AG”.

 

Upon completion of the merger, Transatlantic stockholders will be entitled to receive 0.88 registered shares (Namenaktien) of Allied World (“Allied World shares”) for each share of Transatlantic common stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Transatlantic common stock”), that they own immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (the “exchange ratio”), together with cash in lieu of Allied World fractional shares. This exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted to reflect stock price changes prior to the closing of the merger. Based on the closing price of Allied World shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) on June 10, 2011, the last trading day before public announcement of the merger, the exchange ratio represented approximately $51.10 in value for each share of Transatlantic common stock. Based on the closing price of Allied World shares on the NYSE on August 18, 2011, the latest practicable trading day before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the exchange ratio represented approximately $45.29 in value for each share of Transatlantic common stock. Allied World shareholders will continue to own their existing Allied World shares after the merger. Allied World shares are currently traded on the NYSE under the symbol “AWH,” and Transatlantic common stock is currently traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TRH.” We urge you to obtain current market quotations of Allied World shares and Transatlantic common stock.

 

Based on the estimated number of Allied World shares and Transatlantic common stock that will be outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the merger, we estimate that, on a fully diluted basis, upon such closing, former Allied World shareholders will own approximately 42% of the combined company and former Transatlantic stockholders will own approximately 58% of the combined company.

 

Allied World and Transatlantic will each hold a meeting of their respective shareholders (the “Special Shareholder Meetings”) in connection with the merger. At the extraordinary general meeting of Allied World shareholders, (the “Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting”), Allied World shareholders will be asked to vote on proposals to increase the ordinary share capital, conditional share capital and authorized share capital of Allied World, a proposal to approve the issuance of Allied World shares to Transatlantic stockholders, a proposal to amend the Allied World Articles of Association to change Allied World’s name to “TransAllied Group Holdings, AG”, a proposal to elect directors to the combined company’s board of directors upon completion of the merger, and certain other related proposals. At the special meeting of Transatlantic stockholders (the “Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting”), Transatlantic stockholders will be asked to vote on the adoption of the merger agreement and certain other related proposals.

 

We cannot complete the merger unless the holders of each company’s shares approve the proposals related to the merger. Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you expect to attend either Special Shareholder Meeting in person, please submit a proxy to vote your shares as promptly as possible so that your shares may be represented and voted at the Allied World or Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting, as applicable.

 

The Allied World board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are in the best interests of Allied World. The Allied World board of directors unanimously recommends that the Allied World shareholders vote (i) “FOR” the proposals to increase the ordinary share capital, (ii) “FOR” the proposal to issue shares of Allied World in the merger, (iii) “FOR” the proposal to amend Allied World’s

Articles of Association to change the company’s name, (iv) “FOR” the proposal to elect directors to the combined company’s board of directors, (v) “FOR” the proposal to effect a capital reduction to allow for the payment of a dividend to the combined company’s shareholders after the completion of the merger and (vi) “FOR” the proposal to approve the fourth amendment and restatement of the Allied World Third Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

The Transatlantic board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are in the best interests of Transatlantic and its stockholders. The Transatlantic board of directors unanimously recommends that Transatlantic stockholders vote (i) “FOR” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, (ii) “FOR” the proposal to approve adjournment of the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies and (iii) “FOR” the proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Transatlantic’s named executive officers in connection with the merger and the agreements and understandings pursuant to which such compensation may be paid or become payable.

 

The obligations of Allied World and Transatlantic to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of several conditions. The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus contains detailed information about Allied World, Transatlantic, the meetings, the merger agreement and the merger. You should read this joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully and in its entirety before voting, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22.

 

We look forward to the successful combination of Allied World and Transatlantic.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued under this joint proxy statement/prospectus or determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated August 19, 2011 and is first being mailed to the holders of shares of Allied World and Transatlantic on or about August 19, 2011.

 

ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGS, AG
Lindenstrasse 8, 6340 Baar
Zug, Switzerland

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

 

August 19, 2011

 

To the Shareholders of Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG:

 

We are pleased to invite you to attend the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (“Allied World”), a Swiss corporation, which will be held at Allied World’s corporate headquarters, Lindenstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Zug, Switzerland, on September 20, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. local time, for the following purposes (the “Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting”):

 

 

Completion of the merger is conditioned on, among other things, approval of each of the proposals described above.

In addition, there are two additional proposals, the approval of the second proposal is conditioned upon the approval of the proposals set forth above:

 

 

Allied World will transact no other business at the meeting except such business as may properly be brought before the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Please refer to the joint proxy statement/prospectus of which this notice forms a part for further information with respect to the business to be transacted at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

The Allied World board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, the issuance of the Allied World shares to Transatlantic stockholders pursuant to the merger and the amendment of the Allied World Articles, are in the best interests of Allied World. The Allied World board of directors unanimously recommends that Allied World shareholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals set forth above.

 

The Allied World board of directors has fixed the close of business on July 22, 2011 as the record date for determination of Allied World shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of record of Allied World shares at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

The approval of each of the proposals to increase the share capital of Allied World requires the approval of at least 662/3% of the votes represented at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting and a majority of the nominal value of the Allied World shares represented at such meeting, where holders of at least 50% of the total outstanding Allied World shares are represented and voting and who are entitled to vote on such proposal. The approval of the proposals to issue the Allied World shares pursuant to the merger and to amend and restate the Stock Incentive Plan in order to increase the shares reserved for issuance thereunder requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares entitled to vote on the proposal and present in person or represented by proxy at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting; provided that the total votes cast on each such proposal represent over 50% of the outstanding Allied World shares entitled to vote on such proposal (whereby abstentions will be treated as votes cast for purposes of such proposal and will have the effect of votes “against” such proposals, and broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast for purposes of such proposal). The approval of the proposals to amend the Allied World Articles to change Allied World’s name to “TransAllied Group Holdings, AG” following the completion of the merger, to elect the directors as described above and to approve a capital reduction to allow for payment of a dividend to the combined company shareholders after the completion of the merger, require a majority of the votes cast in favor of such proposals at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting (whereby abstentions and broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast for purposes of such proposal) where holders of at least 50% of the total outstanding Allied World shares are represented and voting and who are entitled to vote on such proposals.

 

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to submit a proxy to vote your shares as promptly as possible by signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting. If your shares are held in an Allied World plan or in the name of a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the plan trustee or administrator, or record holder, as appropriate.

 

The enclosed joint proxy statement/prospectus provides a detailed description of the merger and the merger agreement. We urge you to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus of which this notice forms a part, including any documents incorporated by reference, and the Annexes carefully and in their entirety. If you

have any questions concerning the merger or this joint proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies or need help voting your Allied World shares, please contact Allied World’s proxy solicitor:

 

MacKenzie Partners, Inc.

105 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10016

(800) 322-2885

or

(212) 929-5500 (collect)

E-mail: proxy@mackenziepartners.com

 

By Order of the Board of Directors of

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG,

 

Wesley D. Dupont

Corporate Secretary

TRANSATLANTIC HOLDINGS, INC.
80 Pine Street
New York, NY 10005

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

 

August 19, 2011

 

To the Stockholders of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.:

 

We are pleased to invite you to attend the special meeting of stockholders of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (“Transatlantic”), a Delaware corporation, which will be held at The Down Town Association, 60 Pine Street, New York, New York, on September 20, 2011, at 8:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes (the “Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting”):

 

 

Completion of the merger is conditioned on, among other things, approval of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

 

Transatlantic will transact no other business at the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting except such business as may properly be brought before the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting or any adjournment or postponements thereof. Please refer to the joint proxy statement/prospectus of which this notice forms a part for further information with respect to the business to be transacted at the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

The Transatlantic board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are advisable and in the best interests of Transatlantic and its stockholders. The Transatlantic board of directors unanimously recommends that Transatlantic stockholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals set forth above.

 

The Transatlantic board of directors has fixed the close of business on July 22, 2011 as the record date for determination of Transatlantic stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of record of Transatlantic common stock (“Transatlantic common stock”) at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting. A list of the names of Transatlantic stockholders of record will be available for ten days prior to the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting for any purpose germane to the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting between the regular business hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time, at Transatlantic’s headquarters, 80 Pine Street,

New York, NY. The Transatlantic stockholder list will also be available at the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting during the whole time thereof for examination by any stockholder present at such meeting.

 

Adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Transatlantic common stock entitled to vote thereon. Approval of the proposal to adjourn the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Transatlantic common stock entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy, whether or not a quorum is present. Approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Transatlantic’s named executive officers in connection with the merger, and the agreements and understandings pursuant to which such compensation may be paid or become payable, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Transatlantic common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon.

 

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you expect to attend the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting in person, we urge you to submit a proxy to vote your shares as promptly as possible by either: (1) logging onto http://proxy.georgeson.com and following the instructions on your proxy card; (2) dialing 1-877-456-7915 and listening for further directions; or (3) signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the record holder, as appropriate.

 

The enclosed joint proxy statement/prospectus provides a detailed description of the merger and the merger agreement. We urge you to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus of which this notice forms a part, including any documents incorporated by reference, and the Annexes carefully and in their entirety. If you have any questions concerning the merger or this joint proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies or need help voting your shares of Transatlantic common stock, please contact Transatlantic’s proxy solicitor:

 

Georgeson Inc.

199 Water Street

New York, NY 10038

(888) 613-9817

(Banks and brokers please call: (212) 440-9800)

E-mail: transatlantic@georgeson.com

 

By Order of the Board of Directors of

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.,

 

Amy M. Cinquegrana

Secretary

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Allied World and Transatlantic from other documents that are not included in or delivered with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available to you without charge upon your request. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses and telephone numbers:

 

 

Investors may also consult Allied World’s or Transatlantic’s website for more information concerning the merger described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Allied World’s website is www.awac.com.  Transatlantic’s website is www.transre.com. Information included on these websites is not incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

 

If you would like to request any documents, please do so by September 15, 2011 in order to receive them before the meetings.

 

For a more detailed description of the information incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and how you may obtain it, see “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 188.

ABOUT THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

This joint proxy statement/prospectus, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by Allied World, constitutes a prospectus of Allied World under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the Allied World registered shares (the “Allied World shares”) to be issued to the Transatlantic stockholders pursuant to the merger. This joint proxy statement/prospectus also constitutes a joint proxy statement for both Allied World and Transatlantic under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the extraordinary general meeting of Allied World shareholders (the “Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting”) and a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting of Transatlantic stockholders (the “Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting”).

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated August 19, 2011. You should not assume that the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the incorporated document. Neither our mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to Allied World shareholders or Transatlantic stockholders nor the issuance by Allied World of Allied World shares pursuant to the merger will create any implication to the contrary.

 

This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation. Information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding Allied World has been provided by Allied World and information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding Transatlantic has been provided by Transatlantic.

 

All references in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to “Allied World” refer to Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG, a Swiss corporation, and/or its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise; all references in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to “Transatlantic” refer to Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and/or its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise; all references to “Merger Sub” refer to GO Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Allied World formed for the sole purpose of effecting the merger; unless otherwise indicated or as the context requires, all references in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Allied World and Transatlantic collectively; and, unless otherwise indicated or as the context requires, all references to the “merger agreement” refer to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 12, 2011, as it may be amended from time to time, by and among Allied World, Transatlantic and Merger Sub, a copy of which is included as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Allied World, following completion of the merger, is sometimes referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as “TransAllied” or the “combined company.” Also, in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, “$” and “USD” refer to U.S. dollars and “CHF” refers to Swiss francs; all metrics reported in U.S. dollars that are based on Swiss francs (for example share capital amounts of Allied World) assume an exchange ratio of USD 1.303 to CHF 1.00, the exchange rate prevailing on August 12, 2011. “Local time” means the local time in Switzerland with respect to the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting and related matters, and the local time in New York City with respect to the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting and related matters.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

The following are some questions that you, as a shareholder of Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (an “Allied World shareholder”) or a stockholder of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (a “Transatlantic stockholder”), may have regarding the merger and the other matters being considered at the contemplated meetings and the answers to those questions. Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG (“Allied World”) and Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (“Transatlantic”) urge you to carefully read the remainder of this joint proxy statement/prospectus because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the merger and the other matters being considered at the Special Shareholder Meetings. Additional important information is also contained in the Annexes to, and the documents incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

The Companies

 

The Merger

	•	Class II (to hold office commencing upon the completion of the merger and ending upon TransAllied’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in 2012): Ian H. Chippendale, John L. McCarthy and one current independent Allied World director;
	•	Class III (to hold office commencing upon the completion of the merger and ending upon TransAllied’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in 2013): Stephen P. Bradley, John G. Foos and two current independent Allied World directors; and
	•	Class I (to hold office commencing upon the completion of the merger and ending upon TransAllied’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in 2014): Scott A. Carmilani, Richard S. Press, Michael C. Sapnar, and one current independent Allied World director.

	•	approval by the Allied World shareholders of (i) the share capital increase proposals, (ii) the NYSE share issuance proposal and (iii) the name change proposal;
	•	approval by the Transatlantic stockholders of the adoption of the merger agreement proposal;
	•	authorization of the listing of the Allied World shares to be issued in the merger on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
	•	the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the merger under the HSR Act having expired or been earlier terminated;
	•	obtaining any necessary approvals of the applicable insurance regulatory authorities in New York, Bermuda and Switzerland;
	•	receipt of other requisite regulatory approvals;
	•	all consents and approvals of, and filings with, governmental agencies having been made, obtained and in full force, other than those that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Allied World and Transatlantic after giving effect to the merger;
	•	effectiveness of the registration statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part and the absence of a stop order or proceedings threatened or initiated by the SEC for that purpose;
	•	absence of any order, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation by a court or other governmental entity that makes illegal or prohibits the completion of the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

	•	approval by the Allied World shareholders of the election of directors proposal and execution of a written consent of the TransAllied board approving certain committee and officer appointments;
	•	a ruling from the Swiss Commercial Register having been obtained; and
	•	the purchase by Allied World, following receipt of the requisite Allied World and Transatlantic shareholder approvals, of 45,000 shares of Transatlantic common stock having been completed.

	•	the representations and warranties of each party, other than the representations related to the shares issued and outstanding or reserved for issuance, the necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver the merger agreement, and the brokers’ and finders’ fees, will be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality qualifications contained in such representations and warranties) as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the closing date (other than those representations and warranties that were made only as of a specified date, which need only be true and correct as of such specified date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or to material adverse effect set forth therein), individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on such party;
	•	the representations and warranties of each party relating to the shares issued and outstanding or reserved for issuance, the necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver the merger agreement, and the brokers and finders’ fees, will be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the closing date (except to the extent such representations or warranties were made as of an earlier date, in which case, as of such earlier date);
	•	each party having performed or complied with, in all material respects, all its obligations under the merger agreement at or prior to the effective time of the merger; and
	•	receipt of a certificate executed by each party’s chief executive officer or chief financial officer as to the satisfaction of the conditions described in the preceding three bullet points.

	•	by mutual written consent of Allied World and Transatlantic; or
	•	by either party, if:

	•	a governmental entity issues a final and nonappealable order, decree or ruling or takes any other action (including the failure to have taken an action) having the effect of permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;
	•	the required approval by the shareholders of Allied World or the stockholders of Transatlantic has not been obtained at the respective Special Shareholder Meeting (or at any adjournment or postponement thereof);
	•	the merger has not been completed on or before January 31, 2012 (the “end date”), subject to extension by the mutual agreement of Allied World and Transatlantic;
	•	the other party has breached any of its agreements or representations in the merger agreement, in a way that the conditions to such non-breaching party’s obligation to complete the merger would not then be satisfied and such breach is either incurable or not cured by the end date; or
	•	prior to obtaining the requisite stockholder approval, the board of directors of the other party changes its recommendation that its stockholders vote in favor of the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

The Meetings

	•	the proposal to increase Allied World’s ordinary share capital pursuant to article 3a(a) of the Allied World Articles by up to CHF 887,860,538 (equaling USD 1,156,882,281) to up to CHF 1,472,939,677.4 (equaling USD 1,919,240,400) to permit the issuance of Allied World shares to Transatlantic stockholders pursuant to, and only in connection with, the merger as contemplated by the merger agreement, including the exclusion of all preferential subscription rights to which Allied World shareholders may be entitled, referred to herein as the “article 3 share capital increase proposal”; the contributions for the new registered shares are paid by converting existing reserves (Kapitalreserven) into share capital;
	•	the proposal to increase Allied World’s conditional share capital pursuant to article 5(a) of the Allied World Articles by up to CHF 76,894,774 (equaling USD 100,193,891) to up to CHF 138,634,774 (equaling USD 180,641,111), only in connection with the merger, referred to herein as the “article 5 share capital increase proposal”;

	•	the proposal to increase Allied World’s authorized share capital pursuant to article 6(a) of the Allied World Articles by up to CHF 177,572,113.5 (equaling USD 231,376,463.9) to up to CHF 294,587,935.5 (equaling USD 383,848,080), only in connection with the merger, referred to herein as the “article 6 share capital increase proposal” and, together with the article 3 share capital increase proposal and the article 5 share capital increase proposal, the “share capital increase proposals”;
	•	the proposal to issue Allied World shares to Transatlantic stockholders pursuant to the merger and as contemplated by the merger agreement as required by NYSE rules, referred to herein as the “NYSE share issuance proposal”;
	•	the proposal to amend article 1 of the Allied World Articles to change Allied World’s name to “TransAllied Group Holdings, AG” immediately following, and conditioned upon, the completion of the merger, referred to herein as the “name change proposal”;
	•	the proposal to elect (x) three Class II directors to hold office commencing upon the completion of the merger and ending upon TransAllied’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in 2012, (y) four Class III directors to hold office commencing upon the completion of the merger and ending upon TransAllied’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in 2013 and (z) four Class I directors to hold office commencing upon the completion of the merger and ending upon TransAllied’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in 2014, referred to herein as the “election of directors proposal”;
	•	the proposal to effect a capital reduction to allow for the payment of a dividend to the combined company’s shareholders after the completion of the merger, referred to herein as the “capital reduction proposal”; and
	•	the proposal to amend and restate the Stock Incentive Plan, the form of which is included as Annex E to the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as required by NYSE rules, to, among other things, increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan and to extend the Plan’s termination date effective upon the completion of the merger, referred to herein as the “Stock Incentive Plan proposal.”

	•	the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, which is further described in the sections entitled “The Merger” and “The Merger Agreement,” beginning on pages 43 and 110, respectively, referred to herein as the “adoption of the merger agreement proposal”;
	•	the proposal to adjourn the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the foregoing proposal, referred to herein as the “adjournment proposal”; and
	•	the proposal, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, to approve the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Transatlantic’s named executive officers in connection with the merger, and the agreements and understandings pursuant to which such compensation may be paid or become payable as described in the section entitled “The Merger — Interests of Transatlantic’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger — Golden Parachute Compensation”, referred to herein as the “golden parachute proposal.”

 

Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data

		Six Months Ended
		June 30,								Year Ended December 31,
		2011				2010				2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
		($ in millions, except per share amounts and ratios)
Summary Statement of Operations Data:
Gross premiums written		$	1,080.3			$	998.0			$	1,758.4			$	1,696.3			$	1,445.6			$	1,505.5			$	1,659.0
Net premiums written		$	876.7			$	803.1			$	1,392.4			$	1,321.1			$	1,107.2			$	1,153.1			$	1,306.6
Net premiums earned		$	690.2			$	677.2			$	1,359.5			$	1,316.9			$	1,117.0			$	1,159.9			$	1,252.0
Net investment income			102.6				134.5				244.1				300.7				308.8				297.9				244.4
Net realized investment gains (losses)			109.3				172.4				285.6				126.4				(60.0	)			37.0				(4.8	)
Net impairment charges recognized in earnings			—				(0.2	)			(0.2	)			(49.6	)			(212.9	)			(44.6	)			(23.9	)
Other income			—				0.9				0.9				1.5				0.7				—				—
Net losses and loss expenses			540.3				420.9				707.9				604.1				641.1				682.3				739.1
Acquisition costs			81.1				78.7				159.5				148.9				112.6				119.0				141.5
General and administrative expenses			135.2				131.5				286.5				248.6				185.9				141.6				106.1
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets			1.5				1.8				3.5				11.1				0.7				—				—
Interest expense			27.5				19.0				40.2				39.0				38.7				37.8				32.6
Foreign exchange (gain) loss			0.7				1.6				0.4				0.7				(1.4	)			(0.8	)			0.6
Income tax expense (benefit)			13.4				13.6				26.9				36.6				(7.6	)			1.1				5.0
Net income		$	102.4			$	317.7			$	665.0			$	606.9			$	183.6			$	469.2			$	442.8
Per Share Data:
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	2.69			$	6.34			$	14.30			$	12.26			$	3.75			$	7.84			$	8.09
Diluted			2.57				5.98				13.32				11.67				3.59				7.53				7.75
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic			38,061,724				50,123,945				46,491,279				49,503,438				48,936,912				59,846,987				54,746,613
Diluted			39,873,418				53,086,708				49,913,317				51,992,674				51,147,215				62,331,165				57,115,172
Dividends declared per share		$	—	*		$	0.40			$	1.05			$	0.74			$	0.72			$	0.63			$	0.15

*		On August 5, 2011 Allied World distributed the first of its quarterly dividends, as approved by the shareholders at its 2011 annual general shareholder meeting on May 5, 2011.

		Six Months Ended
		June 30,								Year Ended December 31,
		2011				2010				2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
Selected Ratios:
Loss and loss expense ratio(1)			78.3	%			62.1	%			52.1	%			45.9	%			57.4	%			58.8	%			59.0	%
Acquisition cost ratio(2)			11.7				11.6				11.7				11.3				10.1				10.3				11.3
General and administrative expense ratio(3)			19.6				19.4				21.1				18.9				16.6				12.2				8.5
Expense ratio(4)			31.3				31.0				32.8				30.2				26.7				22.5				19.8
Combined ratio(5)			109.6				93.1				84.9				76.1				84.1				81.3				78.8

		As of June 30,								As of December 31,
		2011				2010				2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
		($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Summary Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	740.8			$	442.7			$	757.0			$	292.2			$	655.8			$	202.6			$	366.8
Investments at fair value			7,502.8				7,420.6				7,183.6				7,156.3				6,157.1				6,029.3				5,440.3
Reinsurance recoverable			1,014.0				932.4				927.6				920.0				888.3				682.8				689.1
Total assets			10,857.1				10,214.4				10,427.6				9,653.2				9,022.5				7,899.1				7,620.6
Reserve for losses and loss expenses			5,251.3				4,920.4				4,879.2				4,761.8				4,576.8				3,919.8				3,637.0
Unearned premiums			1,184.7				1,070.0				962.2				928.6				930.4				811.1				813.8
Total debt			797.8				499.0				797.7				498.9				742.5				498.7				498.6
Total shareholders’ equity			3,044.4				3,468.5				3,075.8				3,213.3				2,416.9				2,239.8				2,220.1
Book value per common share(6)		$	80.23			$	70.20			$	80.75			$	64.61			$	49.29			$	45.95			$	36.82

(1)		Calculated by dividing net losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
(2)		Calculated by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
(3)		Calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses by net premiums earned.
(4)		Calculated by combining the acquisition cost ratio and the general and administrative expense ratio.
(5)		Calculated by combining the loss ratio, acquisition cost ratio and general and administrative expense ratio.
(6)		Book value per common share is total shareholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding.

		Six Months Ended
		June 30,								Years Ended December 31,
		2011				2010				2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
		(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)
Net premiums written		$	2,040,472			$	1,973,888			$	3,881,693			$	3,986,101			$	4,108,092			$	3,952,899			$	3,633,440
Net premiums earned		$	1,911,758			$	1,966,347			$	3,858,620			$	4,039,082			$	4,067,389			$	3,902,669			$	3,604,094
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred			(1,850,178	)			(1,437,867	)			(2,681,774	)			(2,679,171	)			(2,907,227	)			(2,638,033	)			(2,462,666	)
Net commissions			(481,202	)			(473,341	)			(932,820	)			(927,918	)			(980,626	)			(980,121	)			(903,666	)
Increase (decrease) in deferred policy acquisition costs			43,420				(2,615	)			2,898				(12,406	)			6,956				16,901				13,471
Other underwriting expenses			(77,326	)			(88,828	)			(177,624	)			(158,181	)			(131,555	)			(115,760	)			(102,339	)
Underwriting (loss) profit(1)			(453,528	)			(36,304	)			69,300				261,406				54,937				185,656				148,894
Net investment income			226,348				228,384				473,547				467,402				440,451				469,772				434,540
Realized net capital gains (losses)(2)			54,646				6,388				30,101				(70,641	)			(435,541	)			9,389				10,862
(Loss) gain on early extinguishment of debt			(1,179	)			—				(115	)			9,869				10,250				—				—
Interest on senior notes			(33,587	)			(34,142	)			(68,272	)			(43,454	)			(43,359	)			(43,421	)			(43,405	)
Other expenses, net			(18,725	)			(14,651	)			(31,773	)			(28,549	)			(23,515	)			(25,644	)			(10,983	)
(Loss) income before income taxes			(226,025	)			149,675				472,788				596,033				3,223				595,752				539,908
Income (taxes) benefits			116,755				(23,290	)			(70,587	)			(118,371	)			99,031				(108,611	)			(111,756	)
Net (loss) income		$	(109,270	)		$	126,385			$	402,201			$	477,662			$	102,254			$	487,141			$	428,152
Per Common Share:
Net (loss) income:
Basic		$	(1.75	)		$	1.94			$	6.28			$	7.20			$	1.54			$	7.37			$	6.49
Diluted			(1.75	)			1.92				6.19				7.15				1.53				7.31				6.46
Cash dividends declared			0.43				0.41				0.83				0.79				0.73				0.62				0.53
Share Data:
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			62,430				65,085				64,092				66,381				66,270				66,124				65,955
Diluted			62,430				65,785				64,930				66,802				66,722				66,654				66,266
Ratios:(3)
Loss ratio			96.8	%			73.1	%			69.5	%			66.3	%			71.5	%			67.6	%			68.3	%
Commission ratio			22.9				24.2				24.1				23.3				23.9				24.7				24.7
Other underwriting expense ratio			4.0				4.5				4.6				3.9				3.2				2.9				2.9
Underwriting expense ratio			26.9				28.7				28.7				27.2				27.1				27.6				27.6
Combined ratio			123.7	%			101.8	%			98.2	%			93.5	%			98.6	%			95.2	%			95.9	%

		As of June 30,								As of December 31,
		2011				2010				2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
		($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
Total investments		$	13,510,673			$	12,301,043			$	12,972,739			$	12,315,395			$	10,229,557			$	12,500,540			$	11,130,832
Cash and cash equivalents			341,673				327,530				284,491				195,723				288,920				255,432				205,264
Total assets			16,706,353				15,249,845				15,705,354				14,943,659				13,376,938				15,484,327				14,268,464
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses			9,950,709				8,789,300				9,020,610				8,609,105				8,124,482				7,926,261				7,467,949
Unearned premiums			1,349,101				1,183,155				1,212,535				1,187,526				1,220,133				1,226,647				1,144,022
Senior notes			1,005,785				1,033,298				1,030,511				1,033,087				722,243				746,930				746,633
Total stockholders’ equity			4,233,932				4,049,606				4,284,459				4,034,380				3,198,220				3,349,042				2,958,270
Book value per common share(4)		$	67.76			$	63.53			$	68.83			$	60.77			$	48.19			$	50.56			$	44.80

(1)		Includes pre-tax net catastrophe (costs) of ($612) million in the first six months of 2011, ($157) million in the first six months of 2010, ($202) million in the full year 2010, $6 million in the full year 2009, ($170) million in the full year 2008, ($55) million in the full year 2007 and ($29) million in the full year 2006.
(2)		Includes other-than-temporary impairment write-downs charged to earnings of ($3) million in the first six months of 2011, ($6) million in the first six months of 2010, ($8) million in the full year 2010, ($83) million in the full year 2009, ($318) million in the full year 2008, ($27) million in the full year 2007 and ($1) million in the full year 2006.
(3)		The loss ratio represents the absolute value of net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned. The underwriting expense ratio represents the sum of the commission ratio and the other underwriting expense ratio. The commission ratio represents the absolute value of the sum of net commission and the (decrease) increase in deferred policy acquisition costs expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned. The other underwriting expense ratio represents the absolute value of other underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of net premiums earned. The combined ratio represents the sum of the loss ratio and the underwriting expense ratio.
(4)		Book value per common share is stockholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding.

 

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information of Allied World and Transatlantic

		As of
		June 30, 2011
		(Unaudited)
		(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
ASSETS
Total investments		$	21,013,438
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash			1,130,588
Insurance and reinsurance assets			3,898,627
Goodwill			—
Intangible assets			276,711
All other assets			896,645
Total assets		$	27,216,009
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		$	15,140,076
Unearned premiums			2,524,851
Senior notes			1,883,870
All other liabilities			675,205
Total liabilities			20,224,002
Total shareholders’ equity			6,992,007
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	27,216,009

		Six Months Ended				Year Ended
		June 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
		(Unaudited)
		(in thousands, except shares outstanding and per share data)
Revenues:
Net premiums written		$	2,917,146			$	5,274,148
Increase in net unearned premiums			(315,205	)			(55,980	)
Net premiums earned			2,601,941				5,218,168
Net investment income			326,538				712,918
Realized net capital gains			163,158				315,101
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(1,179	)			(115	)
Total revenues			3,090,458				6,246,072
Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses			2,390,443				3,389,657
Acquisition costs			518,835				1,089,411
Other underwriting expenses			210,084				464,018
Interest on senior notes			53,805				94,407
Other expenses, net			21,663				147,239
Total expenses			3,194,830				5,184,732
(Loss) income before income taxes			(104,372	)			1,061,340
Income taxes (benefits)			(103,399	)			97,532
Net (loss) income		$	(973	)		$	963,808
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic		$	(0.01	)		$	9.35
Diluted			(0.01	)			8.95
Dividends per common share			—				1.05
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			93,158,177				103,049,946
Diluted			93,158,177				107,731,481

 

Unaudited Comparative Per Share Data

		Six Months				Year Ended
		Ended				December 31,
Allied World — Historical		June 30, 2011				2010
Net income per share:
Basic		$	2.69			$	14.30
Diluted		$	2.57			$	13.32
Book value per common share(2):
Basic		$	80.23			$	80.75
Diluted		$	76.68			$	74.29
Transatlantic — Historical
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic		$	(1.75	)		$	6.28
Diluted		$	(1.75	)		$	6.19
Book value per common share(2):
Basic		$	67.76			$	68.83
Diluted		$	66.84			$	67.68
Allied World Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Amounts
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic		$	(0.01	)		$	9.35
Diluted		$	(0.01	)		$	8.95
Book value per common share(2):
Basic		$	75.11				(1	)
Diluted		$	72.78				(1	)
Transatlantic Unaudited Pro Forma Equivalent Per Share Data
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic		$	(0.01	)		$	8.23
Diluted		$	(0.01	)		$	7.87
Book value per common share(2):
Basic		$	66.10				(1	)
Diluted		$	64.04				(1	)

(1)		Not applicable.
(2)		As of period end.

 

This joint proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. These statements include in general forward-looking statements both with respect to Allied World and Transatlantic and the insurance and reinsurance industry. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements that use terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks” and “will” and that relate to our plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in all forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such statements in this joint proxy statement/prospectus should not be considered as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives or plans will be achieved. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and other anticipated financial impacts of the proposed transaction; future financial and operating results of the combined company; the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations and services; approval of the proposed transaction by stockholders and by governmental regulatory authorities; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed transaction; and the timing of the completion of the proposed transaction.

 

All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Allied World and Transatlantic and are difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties also include those set forth under “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 22, as well as, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to: any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability to obtain Transatlantic’s or Allied World’s shareholder approval or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the merger, including receipt of regulatory approvals; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts each company’s current plans and operations; the ability to retain key personnel; the ability to realize the benefits of the merger; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger; pricing and policy term trends; increased competition; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable catastrophic events; negative rating agency actions; the adequacy of each party’s loss reserves; Allied World or its non-U.S. subsidiaries becoming subject to significant income taxes in the United States or elsewhere; changes in regulations or tax laws; changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or retrocessional coverage; adverse general economic conditions; and judicial, legislative, political and other governmental developments, as well as management’s response to these factors, and other factors identified in each company’s filings with the SEC. Allied World and Transatlantic caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive.

 

Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Allied World, Transatlantic, the proposed transaction or other matters and attributable to Allied World or Transatlantic or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only to the date they are made. Allied World and Transatlantic are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed in the section entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the following risks before deciding whether to vote for the adoption of the merger agreement proposal, the adjournment proposal and the golden parachute proposal, in the case of Transatlantic stockholders, or for the share capital increase proposals, the NYSE share issuance proposal, the name change proposal, the election of directors proposal, the capital reduction proposal and the Stock Incentive Plan proposal, in the case of Allied World shareholders. In addition, you should read and consider the risks associated with each of the businesses of Allied World and Transatlantic because these risks will also affect the combined company. These risks can be found in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 for each of Allied World and Transatlantic, as such risks may be updated or supplemented in each company’s subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should also read and consider the other information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 188.

 

The exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted in the event of any change in either Allied World’s or Transatlantic’s stock price.

 

Upon closing of the merger, each share of Transatlantic common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.88 Allied World shares. This exchange ratio is fixed in the merger agreement and will not be adjusted for changes in the market price of either Allied World shares or Transatlantic common stock between the date of signing the merger agreement and completion of the merger. Changes in the price of Allied World shares prior to the completion of the merger will affect the market value of Allied World shares that Transatlantic stockholders will receive on the effective date of the merger. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors (many of which are beyond Allied World’s or Transatlantic’s control), including the following factors:

 

 

The price of Allied World shares at the closing of the merger may vary from the price on the date the merger agreement was executed, on the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and on the date of the Special Shareholder Meetings of Allied World and Transatlantic. As a result, the market value represented by the exchange ratio will also vary. For example, based on the range of closing prices of Allied World shares during the period from June 10, 2011, the last trading date before public announcement of the merger, through August 18, 2011, the last practicable trading date before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the exchange ratio represented a market value ranging from a low of $43.59 to a high of $51.10 for each share of Transatlantic common stock.

 

Because the merger will be completed after the Special Shareholder Meetings, at the time of your Special Shareholder Meeting, you will not know the exact market value of the Allied World shares that Transatlantic stockholders will receive upon completion of the merger.

 

If the price of Allied World shares decreases between the time of the meetings and the effective time of the merger, Transatlantic stockholders will receive Allied World shares that have a market value that is less than the market value of such shares at the time of the meetings. Therefore, because the exchange ratio is fixed, stockholders cannot be sure at the time of the meetings of the market value of the consideration that will be paid to Transatlantic stockholders upon completion of the merger.

Actions by Validus may negatively impact Transatlantic’s ability to consummate the merger and may cause disruption to Transatlantic’s ongoing business.

 

On July 12, 2011, Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus”) delivered an unsolicited offer to Transatlantic to combine Transatlantic and Validus, with Validus acquiring all the outstanding common shares of Transatlantic (the “Validus Proposal”). On July 19, 2011, after consultation with its independent financial and legal advisors, the Transatlantic board of directors concluded that the Validus Proposal did not constitute a “Superior Proposal” under the merger agreement between Allied World and Transatlantic and the Transatlantic board of directors reaffirmed its recommendation of, and its declaration of advisability with respect to, the merger agreement between Allied World and Transatlantic. However, the Board also determined on that date that the Validus Proposal is reasonably likely to lead to a “Superior Proposal” and that the failure to enter into discussions regarding the Validus Proposal would result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable law. As a result, the Transatlantic board of directors offered to engage in discussions and exchange information with Validus, subject to, and in accordance with the merger agreement between Allied World and Transatlantic, providing Allied World with three business days’ notice and obtaining from Validus a confidentiality agreement with terms substantially similar and not less favorable to Transatlantic, in the aggregate, than those contained in the confidentiality agreement with Allied World. Validus refused to enter into the confidentiality agreement provided by Transatlantic, and instead, on July 20, 2011, Validus filed with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A soliciting proxies from Transatlantic stockholders to vote against the merger and, on July 25, 2011, Validus commenced the Validus exchange offer. In addition, on August 10, 2011, Validus filed a complaint against Transatlantic, members of the Transatlantic board of directors, Allied World and Merger Sub alleging certain breaches of fiduciary duty. It is unclear what additional actions Validus may take to further its proposal and prevent the merger from occurring. Even if ultimately unsuccessful, actions taken by Validus could cause disruption in Transatlantic’s business and could negatively impact the expected timing of the consummation of the merger. In addition, there is a risk that Transatlantic’s stockholders may vote against proposals relating to the merger as a result of Validus’s actions and that, consequently, the required stockholder vote may not be obtained. In that case, it is possible that Transatlantic may decide not to enter into a transaction with Validus or any other party.

 

The merger is subject to a number of conditions, including certain governmental and regulatory conditions that may not be satisfied, or may not be completed on a timely basis, or at all. Failure to complete the transactions could have material and adverse effects on Allied World and Transatlantic.

 

Completion of the merger is conditioned upon, among other matters, the receipt of certain governmental authorizations, consents, orders or other approvals, including the approval of antitrust authorities in the United Kingdom and Germany, and the approval of insurance regulators in Bermuda, Switzerland and New York. In deciding whether to grant antitrust, insurance or other regulatory clearances, the relevant governmental entities will consider the effect of the merger within their relevant jurisdictions. The governmental agencies from which Allied World and Transatlantic will seek the approvals have broad discretion in administering the governing regulations. The terms and conditions of the approvals that are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined company’s business. There can be no assurance that regulators will not impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying completion of the merger or imposing additional material costs on, or materially limiting the revenues of, the combined company following the merger. In addition, neither Allied World nor Transatlantic can provide assurances that any such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the merger. For a more detailed description of the regulatory review process, see the section entitled “The Merger — Regulatory Clearances Required for the Merger” beginning on page 103.

 

If the merger is not completed on a timely basis, or at all, Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s respective ongoing businesses may be adversely affected. Additionally, in the event the merger is not completed, Allied World and Transatlantic will be subject to a number of risks without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the merger, including (i) the payment of certain fees and costs relating to the merger, such as legal, accounting, financial advisor and printing fees, (ii) the potential decline in the market price of Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s shares, (iii) the risk that the parties may not find a party willing to enter into a merger agreement on terms equivalent to or more attractive than the terms set forth in the merger agreement and (iv) the loss of time and resources.

Uncertainties associated with the merger, the Validus exchange offer and the Berkshire Proposal may cause a loss of management personnel and other key employees which could adversely affect the future business, operations and financial results of the combined company.

 

Whether or not the merger is completed, the announcement and pendency of the merger, the Validus exchange offer and the Berkshire Proposal (as discussed in the section entitled “The Merger — Background of the Merger”) could disrupt the businesses of Allied World and Transatlantic. Allied World and Transatlantic are dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of their senior management and other key employees to execute their business plans. The combined company’s success after the merger will depend in part upon the ability of Allied World and Transatlantic to retain key management personnel and other key employees. Current and prospective employees of Allied World and Transatlantic may experience uncertainty about their roles within the combined company following the merger, which may have an adverse effect on the ability of each of Allied World and Transatlantic to attract or retain key management and other key personnel. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the combined company will be able to attract or retain key management personnel and other key employees of Allied World and Transatlantic to the same extent that such companies have previously been able to attract or retain employees. In addition, the combined company might not be able to locate suitable replacements for any such key employees who leave the combined company or offer employment to potential replacements on reasonable terms.

 

Several lawsuits have been filed against Allied World and Transatlantic challenging the merger, and an adverse ruling may prevent the merger from being completed.

 

Allied World and Transatlantic, as well as the members of the Transatlantic board of directors, have been named as defendants in several lawsuits brought by Validus and purported shareholders of Transatlantic challenging the merger and seeking, among other things, injunctive relief to enjoin the defendants from completing the merger on the agreed-upon terms. See “The Merger — Litigation Related to the Merger” beginning on page 108 for more information about the lawsuits that have been filed related to the merger.

 

One of the conditions to the closing of the merger is that no order, injunction, decree or other legal restraint or prohibition shall be in effect that prevents completion of the merger. Consequently, if a settlement or other resolution is not reached in the lawsuits referenced above and the plaintiffs secure injunctive or other relief prohibiting, delaying or otherwise adversely affecting Allied World and Transatlantic’s ability to complete the merger, then such injunctive or other relief may prevent the merger from becoming effective within the expected timeframe or at all.

 

The merger agreement contains provisions that could discourage a potential competing acquiror of either Allied World or Transatlantic.

 

The merger agreement contains “no shop” provisions that, subject to limited exceptions, restrict each of Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s ability to solicit, initiate, or knowingly encourage and facilitate competing third-party proposals for the acquisition of its company’s shares or assets. Further, even if the Allied World board of directors or the Transatlantic board of directors, respectively, withdraws or qualifies its recommendation with respect to the merger, Allied World or Transatlantic, as the case may be, will still be required to submit each of their merger-related proposals to a vote at their shareholder meeting. In addition, the other party generally has an opportunity to offer to modify the terms of the merger in response to any competing acquisition proposals before the board of directors of the company that has received a third-party proposal may withdraw or qualify its recommendation with respect to the merger. In some circumstances, upon termination of the merger agreement, one of the parties will be required to pay a termination fee of $115 million or $35 million to the other party, and/or an expense reimbursement up to a maximum of $35 million. See “The Merger Agreement — No Solicitation of Alternative Proposals” beginning on page 115, “The Merger Agreement — Termination of the Merger Agreement” beginning on page 122 and “The Merger Agreement — Expenses and Termination Fees; Liability for Breach” beginning on page 123.

 

These provisions could discourage a potential third-party acquiror that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant portion of Allied World or Transatlantic from considering or proposing that acquisition, at a higher per share cash or market value than the market value proposed to be received or realized in the merger or might result in a potential third-party acquiror proposing to pay a lower price to the shareholders than it

might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the added expense of the termination fee and/or expense reimbursement that may become payable in certain circumstances.

 

The fairness opinions delivered by Deutsche Bank and Moelis will not reflect changes in circumstances between signing the merger agreement and the completion of the merger.

 

Neither the Allied World board of directors nor the Transatlantic board of directors has obtained an updated fairness opinion as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus from Deutsche Bank, Allied World’s financial advisor, or Moelis, Transatlantic’s financial advisor.

 

Changes in the operations and prospects of Allied World or Transatlantic, general market and economic conditions and other factors that may be beyond their control, and on which the fairness opinions were based, may alter the value of Allied World or Transatlantic or the prices of Allied World shares or Transatlantic common stock by the time the merger is completed. The opinions do not speak as of the time the merger will be completed or as of any date other than the dates of such opinions. Because neither company anticipates asking its financial advisor to update its opinion, these opinions only address the fairness of the exchange ratio or merger consideration, from a financial point of view, at the time the merger agreement was executed. The opinions are included as Annexes B and C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. For a description of the opinions and a summary of the material financial analyses in connection with rendering such opinions, please refer to “The Merger — Opinion of Allied World’s Financial Advisors” beginning on page 65 and “The Merger — Opinion of Transatlantic’s Financial Advisor” beginning on page 80.

 

The merger will be taxable to Transatlantic stockholders.

 

The receipt of Allied World shares (and cash, if any, received in lieu of Allied World fractional shares) by U.S. holders in exchange for shares of Transatlantic common stock pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For a description of the tax consequences of the merger, please refer to “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 148.

 

Although Allied World and Transatlantic expect to realize certain benefits as a result of the merger, there is the possibility that the combined company may be unable to integrate successfully the businesses of Allied World and Transatlantic in order to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger.

 

The merger involves the combination of two companies that currently operate as independent public companies. The combined company will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating the business practices and operations of Allied World and Transatlantic. Due to legal restrictions, Allied World and Transatlantic have been able to conduct only limited planning regarding the integration of the two companies after completion of the merger and have not yet determined the exact nature of how the businesses and operations of the two companies will be combined thereafter. Potential difficulties the combined company may encounter as part of the integration process include the following:

 

 

 

any of which could adversely affect each company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, brokers, employees and other constituencies or Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger or could reduce each company’s earnings or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the combined company.

 

Current Allied World shareholders and Transatlantic stockholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over management.

 

Current Allied World shareholders have the right to vote in the election of the Allied World board of directors and on other matters affecting Allied World. Current Transatlantic stockholders have the right to vote in the election of the Transatlantic board of directors and on other matters affecting Transatlantic. Immediately after the merger is completed, it is expected that, on a fully diluted basis, current Allied World shareholders will own approximately 42% of the combined company and current Transatlantic stockholders will own approximately 58% of the combined company. As a result of the merger, current Allied World shareholders and current Transatlantic stockholders will have less influence on the management and policies of the combined company than they now have on the management and policies of Allied World and Transatlantic, respectively. Additionally, the Allied World Articles impose voting restrictions on holders of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of Allied World issued shares such that these shareholders’ voting power is reduced to less than 10% of the total voting power.

 

The future results of the combined company will suffer if the combined company does not effectively manage its expanded operations following the merger.

 

Following the merger, the size of the business of the combined company will increase significantly beyond the current size of either Allied World’s or Transatlantic’s business. The combined company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to manage this expanded business, which will pose substantial challenges for management, including challenges related to the management and monitoring of new global operations and associated increased costs and complexity. There can be no assurances that the combined company will be successful or that it will realize the expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, revenue enhancements and other benefits currently anticipated from the merger.

 

The financial analyses and forecasts considered by Allied World and Transatlantic and their respective financial advisors may not be realized, which may adversely affect the market price of Allied World shares following the merger.

 

In performing their financial analyses and rendering their opinions regarding the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement, each of the respective financial advisors to Allied World and Transatlantic independently reviewed and relied on, among other things, internal stand-alone and pro forma financial analyses and forecasts as separately provided to each respective financial advisor by Allied World or Transatlantic. See the sections entitled “The Merger— Certain Allied World Prospective Financial Information” and “The Merger — Certain Transatlantic Prospective Financial Information.” The financial advisor of Transatlantic, Moelis, assumed, at the direction of the board of directors of Transatlantic, that such financial information was reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of Allied World and Transatlantic as to the future performance of their respective companies and that such future financial results will be achieved at the times and in the amounts projected by management of Allied World and Transatlantic. These analyses and forecasts were prepared by, or as directed by, the managements of Allied World and Transatlantic and were also considered by the Allied World board of directors and the Transatlantic board of directors. None of these analyses or forecasts were prepared with a view towards public disclosure or compliance with the published guidelines of

the SEC, GAAP, SAP, international financial reporting standards (“IFRS”) or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of financial forecasts. These projections are inherently based on various estimates and assumptions that are subject to the judgment of those preparing them. These projections are also subject to significant economic, competitive, industry and other uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Allied World and Transatlantic. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Allied World’s or Transatlantic’s financial condition or results of operations will be consistent with those set forth in such analyses and forecasts. Significantly worse financial results could have a material adverse effect on the market price of TransAllied shares following the merger.

 

The combined company is expected to incur substantial expenses related to the merger and the integration of the companies.

 

The combined company is expected to incur substantial expenses in connection with the merger and the integration of Allied World and Transatlantic. There are a large number of processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems that must be integrated. While Allied World and Transatlantic have assumed that a certain level of expenses would be incurred, there are many factors beyond their control that could affect the total amount or the timing of the integration expenses. Moreover, many of the expenses that will be incurred are, by their nature, difficult to estimate accurately. These expenses could, particularly in the near term, exceed the savings that the combined company expects to achieve from the elimination of duplicative expenses and the realization of economies of scale and cost savings. These integration expenses likely will result in the combined company taking significant charges against earnings following the completion of the merger, and the amount and timing of such charges are uncertain at present.

 

There can be no assurance that the merger will not result in a ratings downgrade of Allied World’s or Transatlantic’s insurance or reinsurance operating companies, which may result in an adverse effect on the business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Ratings with respect to claims paying ability and financial strength are important factors in establishing the competitive position of insurance and reinsurance companies and will also impact the cost and availability of capital to an insurance and reinsurance holding company. The combined operations of Allied World and Transatlantic will compete with other insurance and reinsurance companies, financial intermediaries and financial institutions on the basis of a number of factors, including the ratings assigned by internationally-recognized rating organizations. Ratings will represent an important consideration in maintaining customer confidence in the combined company and in its ability to market insurance and reinsurance products. Rating organizations regularly analyze the financial performance and condition of insurers. Any ratings downgrade, or the potential for a ratings downgrade, of Allied World, Transatlantic, the combined company or any of their insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries could adversely affect their ability to market and distribute products and services, which could have an adverse effect on Allied World’s, Transatlantic’s or the combined company’s, as applicable, business, financial condition and operating results. There is a risk that Allied World and/or Transatlantic is subject to being downgraded, and there can be no assurance that the ratings of the combined company’s insurance and reinsurance operating companies will not be downgraded, following the merger.

 

Ratings are not in any way a measure of protection afforded to investors and should not be relied upon in making an investment or voting decision.

 

The occurrence of severe catastrophic events may cause the combined company’s financial results to be volatile and may affect the financial results of the combined company differently than such an event would have affected the financial results of either Allied World or Transatlantic on a stand-alone basis.

 

Because the combined company will, among other things, underwrite property catastrophe insurance and reinsurance and have large aggregate exposures to natural and man-made disasters, management expects that the combined company’s loss experience generally will include infrequent events of great severity. Consequently, the occurrence of losses from catastrophic events is likely to cause substantial volatility in the combined company’s financial results. In addition, because catastrophes are an inherent risk of the combined company’s business, a major event or series of events can be expected to occur from time to time and to have a material adverse effect on the combined company’s financial condition and results of operations, possibly to

the extent of eliminating the combined company’s shareholders’ equity. Upon completion of the merger, the combined company’s exposure to natural and man-made disasters will be different from the exposure of either Allied World or Transatlantic prior to the completion of the merger. Accordingly, the merger may exacerbate the exposure described above.

 

Transatlantic and Allied World’s counterparties may acquire certain rights upon the merger, which could negatively affect the combined company following the merger.

 

Transatlantic and Allied World are each party to numerous contracts, agreements, licenses, permits, authorizations and other arrangements that contain provisions giving counterparties certain rights (including, in some cases, termination rights) in the event of a “change in control” of Transatlantic or its subsidiaries or Allied World or its subsidiaries, as applicable. The definition of “change in control” varies from contract to contract, ranging from a narrow to a broad definition, and in some cases, the “change in control” provisions may be implicated by the merger. If a change in control occurs, cedents may be permitted to cancel contracts on a cut-off or run-off basis, and Transatlantic or Allied World, as applicable, may be required to provide collateral to secure premium and reserve balances or may be required to cancel and commute a contract, subject to an agreement between the parties that may be settled in arbitration. If a contract is cancelled on a cut-off basis, Transatlantic or Allied World, as applicable, may be required to return unearned premiums, net of commissions. In addition, contracts may provide a ceding company with multiple options, such as collateralization or commutation, that would be triggered by a change in control. Collateral requirements may take the form of trust agreements or be funded by securities held or letters of credit. Upon commutation, the amount to be paid to settle the liability for gross loss reserves would typically consider a discount to the financial statement loss reserve value, reflecting the time value of money resident in the ultimate settlement of such loss reserves. In certain instances, contracts contain dual triggers, such as a change in control and a ratings downgrade, both of which must be satisfied for the contractual right to be exercisable.

 

Whether a ceding company would have cancellation rights in connection with the merger depends upon the language of its agreement with Transatlantic or Allied World, as applicable. Whether a ceding company exercises any cancellation rights it has would depend on, among other factors, such ceding company’s views with respect to the financial strength and business reputation of the combined company, the extent to which such ceding company currently has reinsurance coverage with the combined company’s affiliates, the prevailing market conditions, the pricing and availability of replacement reinsurance coverage and the combined company’s ratings following the merger. Transatlantic and Allied World cannot presently predict the effects, if any, if the merger is deemed to constitute a change in control under certain of their respective contracts and other arrangements, including the extent to which cancellation rights would be exercised, if at all, nor the effect on the combined company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, but such effect could be material.

 

Some of the executive officers and directors of Allied World and Transatlantic have interests in seeing the merger completed that are different from, or in addition to, those of the other Allied World and Transatlantic stockholders. Therefore, some of the executive officers and directors of Allied World may have a conflict of interest in recommending the proposals being voted on at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting and some of the executive officers and directors of Transatlantic may have a conflict of interest in recommending the proposals being voted on at the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

Certain of the executive officers of Allied World and Transatlantic have arrangements that provide them with interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, those of stockholders of Allied World and Transatlantic generally. These interests include, among others, ownership interests in the combined company, continued service as an executive officer of the combined company, payments and equity grants, and the accelerated vesting of certain equity awards and/or certain severance benefits, in connection with the merger. These interests may influence the executive officers of Allied World to support or approve the proposals to be presented at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting and/or the executive officers of Transatlantic to support or approve the proposals to be presented at the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting.

In addition, certain directors of Allied World and Transatlantic may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, those of stockholders of Allied World and Transatlantic generally, including ownership interests and equity grants in the combined company and continued service as a director of the combined company. These interests may influence the directors of Allied World and Transatlantic to support or approve the proposals to be presented at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting and/or the Transatlantic Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

See “The Merger — Interests of Allied World’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 90 and “The Merger — Interests of Transatlantic’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 97 for a more detailed description of these interests.

 

The Allied World shares to be received by Transatlantic stockholders as a result of the merger will have different rights from the shares of Transatlantic common stock.

 

Upon completion of the merger, Transatlantic stockholders will become shareholders of TransAllied, and their rights as shareholders will be governed by the TransAllied Articles, the TransAllied organizational resolutions and Swiss law. The rights associated with Transatlantic common stock are different from the rights associated with Allied World shares. See “Comparison of Rights of TransAllied Shareholders and Transatlantic Stockholders” beginning on page 173.

 

Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s businesses are and will be subject to the risks described above. In addition, Allied World and Transatlantic are, and will continue to be, subject to the risks described in Allied World’s and Transatlantic’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 188 for the location of information incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG

 

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG is a holding company incorporated in Switzerland. Allied World, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Allied World Assurance Company, Ltd, Allied World Assurance Company (Europe) Limited, Allied World Assurance Company (Reinsurance) Limited, Allied World Assurance Company (U.S.) Inc., Allied World National Assurance Company, Darwin National Assurance Company and Darwin Select Insurance Company and its branch offices, is a specialty insurance and reinsurance company that underwrites a diversified portfolio of property and casualty lines of business through offices located in Bermuda, Hong Kong, Ireland, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Allied World has nine offices in the United States and has become licensed in Canada as well. Since its formation in 2001, Allied World has focused primarily on the direct insurance markets. Allied World offers its clients and producers significant capacity in both direct property and casualty insurance markets as well as the reinsurance market. Allied World is the ultimate parent company of Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd, the former publicly-traded Bermuda holding company, and its subsidiaries as a result of a redomestication effected on December 1, 2010, pursuant to a scheme of arrangement under Bermuda law.

 

Allied World shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “AWH.” Following the merger, the combined company’s common shares will be traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TAG.”

 

The principal executive offices of Allied World are located at Lindenstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Zug, Switzerland and its telephone number is 41-41-768-1080. Additional information about Allied World and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 188.

 

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.

 

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. is a holding company incorporated in the State of Delaware. Transatlantic, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TRC, Trans Re Zurich Reinsurance Company Ltd., acquired by TRC in 1996, and Putnam (contributed by Transatlantic to TRC in 1995), offers reinsurance capacity for a full range of property and casualty products, directly and through brokers, to insurance and reinsurance companies, in both the domestic and international markets on both a treaty and facultative basis. One or both of TRC and Putnam is licensed, accredited, authorized or can serve as a reinsurer in 50 states and the District of Columbia in the United States and in Puerto Rico and Guam. Through its international locations, Transatlantic has operations worldwide, including Bermuda, Canada, seven locations in Europe, three locations in Central and South America, two locations in Asia (excluding Japan), and one location in each of Japan, Australia and Africa. TRC is licensed in Bermuda, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Republic of China and Australia. Transatlantic was originally formed in 1986 under the name PREINCO Holdings, Inc. as a holding company for Putnam. Transatlantic’s name was changed to Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. on April 18, 1990 following the acquisition on April 17, 1990 of all of the common stock of TRC in exchange for shares of common stock of Transatlantic.

 

Transatlantic’s common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TRH.”

 

The principal executive offices of Transatlantic are located at 80 Pine Street, New York, New York 10005 and its telephone number is (212) 365-2200. Additional information about Transatlantic and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 188.

 

GO Sub, LLC

 

GO Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allied World and a Delaware limited liability company, which was initially incorporated on June 2, 2011 as a corporation, and subsequently converted to a limited liability company on June 10, 2011, and was formed for the sole purpose of effecting the merger. In the merger, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Transatlantic, with Transatlantic surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allied World.

 

This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being provided to the shareholders of Allied World as part of a solicitation of proxies by the Allied World board of directors for use at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting to be held at the time and place specified below, and at any properly convened meeting following an adjournment or postponement thereof. This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides shareholders of Allied World with the information they need to know to be able to vote or instruct their vote to be cast at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

Date, Time and Place

 

The Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting will be held at Allied World’s corporate headquarters, Lindenstrasse 8, 6340 Baar, Zug, Switzerland, on September 20, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. local time.

 

Purpose of the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting

 

At the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting, Allied World shareholders will be asked to consider and vote on:

 

 

Completion of the merger is conditioned on, among other things, approval of the share capital increase proposals, the NYSE share issuance proposal, the name change proposal, and the election of directors proposal.

Recommendations of the Board of Directors of Allied World

 

The Allied World board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and the amendment to the Allied World Articles and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, the issuance of the Allied World shares to Transatlantic stockholders pursuant to the merger and the adoption of the amendment to the Allied World Articles, are in the best interests of Allied World.

 

The Allied World board of directors unanimously recommends that the Allied World shareholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals set forth above. See the section entitled “The Merger — Allied World’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendations of the Allied World Board of Directors” beginning on page 63 for a more detailed discussion of the Allied World board of directors’ recommendation.

 

Allied World Record Date; Shareholders Entitled to Vote

 

Only Allied World shareholders of record at the close of business on July 22, 2011, the Allied World record date, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting.

 

At the close of business on the Allied World record date, there were 38,077,329 Allied World shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting. Holders of Allied World shares will have one vote for each Allied World share they owned on the Allied World record date, in person or by a properly executed and delivered proxy with respect to the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting, unless such shareholders own “controlled shares” that constitute 10% or more of the issued Allied World shares, in which case the voting rights with respect to those “controlled shares” will be limited, in the aggregate, to a voting power of approximately 10% pursuant to a formula specified in article 14 of the Allied World Articles. The Allied World Articles define “controlled shares” generally to include all shares of Allied World directly, indirectly or constructively owned or beneficially owned by any person or group of persons. The share capital of Allied World consists of the outstanding Allied World shares and Allied World non-voting shares.

 

Voting by Allied World’s Directors and Executive Officers

 

At the close of business on the Allied World record date, directors and executive officers of Allied World and their affiliates were entitled to vote 713,214 Allied World shares, or approximately 1.9% of the Allied World shares outstanding on that date. We currently expect that Allied World’s directors and executive officers will vote their shares in favor of each of the proposals to be considered and voted upon at the Special Shareholder Meeting, although none of them has entered into any agreement obligating them to do so.

 

Quorum

 

In order to transact business at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting, a quorum is required. Two or more persons present in person and representing in person or by proxy throughout the meeting more than 50% of the total issued and outstanding Allied World shares registered in Allied World’s share register constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting. The Allied World board of directors or chairman of the Allied World board of directors may postpone the meeting with sufficient factual reason, provided that notice of postponement is given to the shareholders in the same form as the invitation before the time for such meeting. A new notice is then required to hold the postponed meeting. Under Swiss law, a general meeting of shareholders for which a notice of meeting has been duly published may not be adjourned without publishing a new notice of meeting.

 

Abstentions (Allied World shares for which proxies have been received but for which the holders have abstained from voting) will be counted toward the presence of a quorum at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting. Under NYSE rules, if brokers do not have discretion to vote on any of the proposals at a shareholders’ meeting, broker non-votes will not count toward the calculation of a quorum. As each of the proposals to be voted on at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting are considered “non-routine” under NYSE rules, brokers do not have discretion to vote on such proposals and, as such broker non-votes will not

be included in the calculation of the number of Allied World shares represented at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum has been achieved.

 

Required Vote; Failures to Vote, Abstentions, Broker Non-Votes

 

Approval of each of the following proposals requires the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the votes represented at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting and a majority of the nominal value of the Allied World shares represented at such meeting, where holders of at least 50% of the total outstanding Allied World shares are represented and voting and who are entitled to vote on such proposal: (i) the article 3 share capital increase proposal, (ii) the article 5 share capital increase proposal and (iii) the article 6 share capital increase proposal. Abstentions will be considered votes represented at the meeting and will thus have the same effect as votes “AGAINST” these proposals. Broker non-votes will not be considered shares represented at the meeting and will have no effect on these proposals.

 

The approval of the NYSE share issuance proposal and the Stock Incentive Plan proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares entitled to vote on the proposal and present in person or represented by proxy at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting, provided that the total votes cast on this proposal represent over 50% of the outstanding Allied World shares entitled to vote on this proposal; provided further that the approval of the NYSE share issuance proposal is conditioned upon the approval of the share capital increase proposals, as provided above. Votes “for,” votes “against” and abstentions count as votes cast, while broker non-votes do not count as votes cast for this purpose. All outstanding Allied World shares count as shares entitled to vote. Thus, the total sum of votes “for,” plus votes “against,” plus abstentions, which we refer to as the “NYSE votes cast”, must be greater than 50% of the total outstanding Allied World shares. The number of votes “for” the proposal must be greater than 50% of the NYSE votes cast.

 

Each of the following approvals requires a majority of the votes cast voting in favor of such proposal at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting where holders of at least 50% of the total outstanding Allied World shares are represented and voting and who are entitled to vote on such proposal: (i) the name change proposal, (ii) the election of directors proposal and (iii) the capital reduction proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered votes cast and will have no effect on these proposals, assuming a quorum is present.

 

Completion of the merger is conditioned on, among other things, approval of the share capital increase proposals, the NYSE share issuance proposal, the name change proposal and the election of directors proposal.

 

Voting of Proxies by Holders of Record

 

If you are a holder of record of Allied World shares, a proxy card is enclosed for your use. Allied World requests that you submit a proxy by signing the accompanying proxy and returning it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. When the accompanying proxy is returned properly executed, the Allied World shares represented by it will be voted at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in accordance with the instructions contained in the proxy.

 

If a proxy is returned without an indication as to how the Allied World shares represented are to be voted with regard to a particular proposal, the Allied World shares represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Allied World board of directors and, therefore, “FOR” each of the proposals to be considered and voted upon at such meeting. As of the date hereof, management has no knowledge of any business that will be presented for consideration at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting and that would be required to be set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus or the related proxy card other than the matters set forth in Allied World’s Notice of Special Shareholder Meeting. If any other matter is properly presented at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting for consideration, it is intended that the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting thereunder will vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matter.

 

Voting by Independent Proxy

 

If you are an Allied World shareholder of record as of the Allied World record date, under Swiss law you may authorize the independent proxy, Mr. Paul Buergi, of Buis Buergi AG, Muehlebachstrasse 7, P.O. Box 672,

CH-8024, Zurich, Switzerland, with full rights of substitution, to vote your Allied World shares on your behalf instead of using the enclosed proxy card. If you authorize the independent proxy to vote your shares without giving instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Allied World board of directors with regard to the items listed in the notice of meeting. If new agenda items (other than those in the notice of meeting) or new proposals or motions with respect to those agenda items set forth in the notice of meeting are being put forth before the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting, the independent proxy will, in the absence of other specific instructions, vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Allied World board of directors. An optional form of proxy card that may be used by the independent proxy to vote your Allied World shares is included with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Proxy cards authorizing the independent proxy to vote your shares must be sent directly to the independent proxy, arriving no later than 12:00 p.m., local time, September 13, 2011.

 

Your vote is important. Accordingly, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card whether or not you plan to attend the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting in person.

 

Shares Held in Street Name

 

If you hold your Allied World shares in a stock brokerage account or if your shares are held by a bank or other nominee (that is, in street name), you must provide the record holder of your shares with instructions on how to vote your shares. Please follow the voting instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. Please note that you may not vote Allied World shares held in street name by returning a proxy card directly to Allied World or by voting in person at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting unless you have a “legal proxy,” which you must obtain from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. Further, brokers who hold Allied World shares on behalf of their customers may not give a proxy to Allied World to vote those Allied World shares without specific instructions from their customers.

 

If you are an Allied World shareholder and you do not instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee on how to vote your shares your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, as applicable, may not vote your Allied World shares on any of the proposals to be considered and voted upon at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting as all such matters are deemed “non-routine” matters. See “Admission to the Special Shareholder Meeting” below for further information regarding voting your shares that are held in “street name.”

 

Revocation of Proxies

 

If you are the record holder of Allied World shares, you can change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before your proxy is voted at the Allied World Special Shareholder Meeting. You can do this by: