1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 30, 1999 TRENWICK GROUP INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 0-14737 06-1152790 (State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) One Canterbury Green, Stamford, Connecticut 06901 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 353-5500 2 Item 5. Other Events On August 30, 1999, the registrant issued a press release announcing the expansion of its stock repurchase program. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit A. 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Date: September 1, 1999 TRENWICK GROUP INC. By /s/ James F. Billett, Jr. -------------------------------- James F. Billett, Jr. Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer 4 EXHIBIT A Trenwick Group Inc. Expands Stock Repurchase Program Stamford, Connecticut, August 30, 1999. . . Trenwick Group Inc. announced today that the share authorization for its stock repurchase program had been increased by 1,000,000 shares. The program was originally adopted in May 1997 with an authorization of 1,000,000 shares, which was increased by 600,000 shares in September 1998. To date, 1,579,000 shares have been repurchased. Trenwick also announced today that Richard E. Cole, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chartwell Re Corporation, has decided not to join Trenwick as Vice Chairman following the closing of Trenwick's pending acquisition of Chartwell. Mr. Cole will, however, become a member of Trenwick's Board of Directors, as previously announced.