Executive Changes
WTW Names Climate, Resilience Hub Senior Director

Willis Towers Watson has named Matt Scott as senior director in its climate and resilience hub.

Scott played an integral role in the Bank of England's climate team under Governor Mark Carney from 2014 and led delivery of the U.K. government's landmark green finance strategy in 2019, according to a company statement.

In this new role, Scott will lead advice on policy, financial regulation and green finance as part of a growing climate business.

Scott brings more than 20 years of experience in the area of climate, finance and sustainable business. At the Bank of England, he created the formative physical, transition and liability framework for climate-related financial risks and led the Bank's climate hub.

Prior to joining the Bank, Scott, with a background in science, and following an MBA at Stanford Business School, became a social entrepreneur, delivering solar lighting to off-grid villages in emerging markets. He also has experience in impact investing and teaches at the University of Oxford.

“We are all delighted that Matt has joined Willis Towers Watson. He brings unique, long standing expertise and practical experience that will further enhance the first-class climate advice and services we provide,” said John Haley, CEO of Willis Towers Watson.

—Staff Report

Crawford & Co. Names New President and Chief Technical Officer for Asia Business

Crawford & Co. has named Veronica Grigg to succeed Mike Campbell-Pitt as president, Asia.

Campbell-Pitt will assume the role of chief technical officer for Asia.

Grigg has more than 20 years of insurance market experience. Most recently, she was chief executive officer, Asia-Pacific, at Argo Global, responsible for executing the company's business strategy across the region and developing key strategic relationships. Prior to this, she was head of distribution, major trading partner engagement, Asia-Pacific at QBE. During her 14 years at the company, she held numerous senior roles and worked across a number of different territories.

Campbell-Pitt, in his new role of chief technical officer for the region, will report to Grigg. He will continue to head up the company's Hong Kong operations center, while also providing claims technical expertise and support across the Asia region.

Campbell-Pitt has decades of experience in the loss-adjusting arena. He joined Crawford in 2001, becoming managing director and general manager for Crawford's operations in the greater China region in 2005, and president, Asia in 2017.

Liberty Mutual's GRS Names Former Chubb Exec to Newly Created Position

Liberty Mutual's Global Risk Solutions has named David B. Williams to the newly created position of multinational senior vice president and chief underwriting officer.

In this new role, Williams will develop and deliver enhanced data-driven and global risk-based solutions for midsize and large customers and the brokers who support them. Williams has more than 10 years of multinational experience. Most recently, he was Chubb North American Financial Lines vice president. Before that, he was Chubb's vice president of multinational solutions.

Arkansas Governor Appoints New Insurance Commissioner

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has appointed Alan McClain as the state's new insurance commissioner.

He fills a vacancy left by Allen Kerr, who in early March resigned to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

McClain has served as commissioner of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Commerce since 2015.

McClain began his career in state government in 1992 at the Arkansas Insurance Department after working with Sedgwick Insurance Group. He worked for the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission for 13 years and was the chief executive officer of the commission for nearly nine years.

Most recently, as commissioner of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, McClain oversaw the agency's day-to-day operations, which administers the federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act.

MIB Group Names Successor to Retiring President and CEO

MIB Group Inc. has named Brian Winikoff to succeed Lee B. Oliphant as president and chief executive officer. Oliphant is retiring after 21 years with MIB.

Prior to joining MIB, Winikoff was senior executive director and head of Axa Equitable Holdings' U.S. life, retirement and wealth management businesses.

Previously, he was president and CEO of Crump Life Insurance Services, an independent broker and service provider to the life insurance, retirement and health markets. Winikoff began his career as an investment banker with Salomon Bros., stationed in the United States and overseas, and held senior management positions with early stage and mature companies focused in the technology and communications industries.

Axis Capital Holdings Names CEO of Irish Reinsurance Legal Entity

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. has named Mark McCormick to succeed Helen O'Sullivan as chief executive officer of Axis Re SE, subject to regulatory approval.

O'Sullivan would remain CEO and a director of Axis Specialty Europe SE, also serving as a director of Axis Re.

McCormick will be responsible for Axis Re and the legal entity aspects of its Zurich branch. McCormick will also join the board of directors of Axis Specialty Europe as a nonexecutive director.

Most recently, McCormick was co-head of specialty pricing for Axis Re. Previously, he managed all non-U.S. actuarial pricing for Axis Accident & Health from 2010 until that business was merged into Axis Capital's insurance and reinsurance business segments in 2018. McCormick joined Axis from AmTrust.

Former General Star CEO, NAPSLO President, Dies From COVID-19

Kevin P. Brooks, 75, founding chairman, president and chief executive officer of General Star and former president of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices, died on April 3 from complications related to COVID-19.

Brooks joined General Reinsurance Corp. in 1969 and served in many senior roles, including as the founding chairman, president and CEO of General Star, the company said in a statement. He was a retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Brooks served as NAPSLO president from 1989-1990, WSIA President Bryan Sanders and Executive Director Brady Kelley said in a separate statement.

After graduating from Manhattan College in 1966 with a degree in psychology, Brooks was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and he served one tour of duty in Vietnam from 1967-1968 as an artillery forward observer, WSIA said. He continued to serve as a member of the reserves, completing 30 years of service with the Marine Corps and retiring as a colonel in 1992. He ended his military career as battalion commander, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines Reserve Unit in Garden City, Long Island.

Farmers New World Life Names President

Farmers Insurance has named Chris Flint as president of Farmers New World Life Insurance Co.

Flint will lead strategic plans for Farmers New World Life. He has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He most recently served as the president and chief executive officer of ProEquities Inc. and senior vice president, distribution companies for Protective Life Insurance Co.

Former Facebook Executive Named First CPO at Root

Root Inc. has named Annette Reavis as its first chief people officer.

Reavis joins Root after spending a decade at Facebook, serving as a strategic human resources leader for Facebook's product, marketing, growth/integrity, community operations, and partnerships organizations. She will oversee the recruitment to drive the next phase of Root's geographic and product expansion.

American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Names Chief Executive Officer

American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Co. has named Jon D. Srna to succeed Casey Davis, interim chief executive officer, as CEO.

Srna has 30 years of expertise in personal lines insurance and an extensive farm background. Srna began his insurance industry career with Farm Bureau Financial Services as a customer service supervisor. His career encompasses tenures as business unit vice president at Farm Bureau Financial Services; executive vice president and chief operating officer at ACCC Insurance; and, most recently, senior vice president of operations and chief operating officer at Madison Mutual Insurance Co.

MS Amlin SE Names CEO, Risk Officer

MS Amlin Insurance SE has named Ludovic Sénécaut chief executive officer and Rogier Peters as chief risk officer.

Sénécaut succeeds interim CEO Rudy Benmeridja, who will return to his role of chief underwriting officer for property/casualty Europe and country manager for Belgium. Sénécaut spent 15 years in Euler Hermes Group and has held a number of senior positions such as group chief operating officer, CEO Northern and Eastern Europe. He also served as CEO for the Kerudys Group.

Peters replaces CRO Martyn Rodden, who will transition to a new role as deputy CEO of MS Amlin Underwriting Ltd., an MS Amlin sister company operating at Lloyd's. Peters is a qualified actuary, who joins from Ageas UK, where he served as CRO. He has held a number of senior risk positions in the insurance sector internationally and across Ageas Group.

Swiss Re Names Chief Data Officer

Swiss Re has named Ian Haycock to the newly created role of chief data officer.

Haycock will work with Youngran Kim, who started as group chief technology officer in April.

Haycock has more than 32 years of experience in technology, analytics and operations, including 26 years within financial services. He joined Swiss Re in 2003 as head of technology for capital management and advisory. In 2008, Haycock took on the role as head of enabling program asset management. Since 2012, he has held the role of chief operating officer for asset management.

Orchid Underwriters Agency Names CFO

Orchid Underwriters Agency LLC has named Michael Garamoni as chief financial officer.

Garamoni has spent the past 13 years in finance, reporting and planning, which included roles as vice president of global finance for Ryan Specialty Group LLC., and at Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP. He will be based in Orchid's Vero Beach, Florida, headquarters.

Gemini Financial Holdings Names CEO

Gemini Financial Holdings Corp., the parent company of Olympus Insurance Co., has named Steve Bitar as CEO to succeed James McDermott, interim chief executive officer.

Bitar is former chief of underwriting and agency services for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. He has more than 20 years of Florida-specific insurance experience with a diverse background. Bitar has held several executive and senior leadership positions—including both vice president and senior director of consumer and agent services as well as director of consumer services.

QBE Insurance Group Names New International CEO

QBE Insurance Group has named Jason Harris to succeed Richard Pryce as chief executive officer, international. Harris will transition to his new role in the fourth quarter of 2020, and Pryce intends to retire at the end of the year. Harris will be based in London.

Pryce has more than 35 years in the insurance industry, including seven years leading QBE's European operations and more recently the operations in Asia as part of the international division in 2019.

Harris joins QBE from Axa XL, where he held the position of chief executive, global property/casualty. Prior to this, he was the chief executive of international property/casualty at XL in the United Kingdom.