exhibit 10. 21. 1 talbot underwriting services ltd gracechurch house 55 gracechurch street london ec3v ojp telephone 020 7550 3500 facsimile 020 7550 3555 email * * * @ * * * www. talbotuw. com 12th august 2008 mr m e a carpenter 14 dynevor road richmond surrey tw10 6pf dear michael amendment to service agreement dated 12th july 2007 further to your discussions with validus, i am writing to confirm the revised terms of your service agreement with talbot underwriting services ltd, which became effective 3rd july 2008. these terms are for a 12 month period ending 2nd july 2009 but can be extended by mutual agreement. in the event of an extension of the agreement, the terms of such extension are to be agreed by 31st january 2009. salary £140, 000 per annum pension 20 % contribution made by the company life assurance eight times salary bupa coverage for employee and spouse phi coverage is up to 75 % of salary telephone reimbursement of cost of home and mobile telephone calls travel cost of rail travel to and from work shares you will be awarded $ 25, 000 worth of restricted common stock of validus holdings ltd which will vest on 2nd july 2009. if you are in agreement to the above terms please sign the attached copy of this letter and return it to me. yours sincerely jane c. williams hr manager registered in england number # # # - # # # - # # # # exhibit 10. 21. 1 talbot underwriting services ltd gracechurch house 55 gracechurch street london ec3v ojp telephone 020 7550 3500 facsimile 020 7550 3555 email * * * @ * * * www. talbotuw. com 12th august 2008 th mr m e a carpenter 14 dynevor road richmond surrey tw10 6pf dear michael amendment to service agreement dated 12th july 2007 th further to your discussions with validus, i am writing to confirm the revised terms of your service agreement with talbot underwriting services ltd, which became effective 3rd july 2008. these terms are for a 12 month period ending 2nd july 2009 but can be extended by mutual agreement. in the event of an extension of the agreement, the terms of such extension are to be agreed by 31st january 2009. rd nd st salary £140, 000 per annum pension 20 % contribution made by the company life assurance eight times salary bupa coverage for employee and spouse phi coverage is up to