PMA Companies Names Robert Ball SVP and CFO

Robert Ball, senior vice president, chief financial officer, PMA Companies

PMA Companies has named Robert Bell senior vice president, chief financial officer. 

Bell joined PMA Companies in July 2019 as senior vice president and deputy chief financial officer. He succeeds John Cochrane, PMA’s former chief financial officer, following Cochrane’s retirement on January 1, 2020. 

“Rob is a seasoned financial executive and complements our strong performance-oriented culture. As PMA Companies expands our geographic footprint, Rob’s broad financial expertise and proven industry leadership will be fundamental in driving our success,” said John Santulli, president and chief executive officer, PMA Companies. 

Bell has 25-years of insurance industry experience. He most recently served as executive director of finance for USAA.

He also served in a financial leadership position at Travelers and was a senior accountant with KPMG earlier in his career.

CFC Names Shannon Groeber Executive Vice President

Shannon Groeber, executive vice president, CFC

Specialist insurance provider CFC announced the appointment of Shannon Groeber to the newly created role of executive vice president.

Groeber will be based in New York and is responsible for leading the business’s cyber strategy for its admitted cyber proposition.

She joins CFC from Marsh JLT Specialty where she was cyber innovation leader. A seasoned industry professional, her career includes five years at JLT Specialty as cyber and E&O practice leader.

“Shannon is a hugely respected and influential figure in the cyber insurance market, and I’m delighted that she has joined us to drive the development of our admitted cyber product in the US,” said CFC Chief Executive Officer Dave Walsh.

“Our global cyber practice has been at the heart of CFC for the past twenty years and we’re proud to be considered as one of the leading underwriters of this class. The US is a massively important market for us and I couldn’t think of a better person than Shannon to lead and execute our cyber strategy for CFC in the US.”

“Having worked closely with CFC’s cyber practice over recent years, I’m truly excited to become part of the team as we look to expand our offering in the US market,” Groeber said.

Burns & Wilcox Adds Laura McCormick to Its Leadership Team

Burns & Wilcox, wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager, announced the addition of Laura McCormick to its leadership team as regional practice group leader, Professional Liability, southern U.S. region. She will be based out of Dallas/Fort Worth.

McCormick will be responsible for setting the strategic direction and growth for professional liability business across the southern region, which includes 10 states ranging from Texas to North Carolina. Her role also involves recruiting and developing talent to deepen its bench of expertise in the Burns & Wilcox network while identifying and strengthening key client relationships. She will report to David Derigiotis, corporate senior vice president, national professional liability practice leader.

McCormick has 20 years of experience and most recently served as senior vice president and national practice leader at MarketScout.

“We are thrilled for Laura to re-join the Burns & Wilcox team in this new leadership capacity following the tremendous experience she has gained across the industry,” said Derigiotis.

“Taking on the role of Regional Practice Group Leader at Burns & Wilcox is the next step my career has prepared me for and I am excited for this leadership opportunity,” said McCormick.

“I have always had a passion for building successful teams and developing solutions that result in continuous growth. With a career concentrated in professional liability, I look forward to leveraging that knowledge to drive new business and growth for the practice and the Burns & Wilcox network overall.”

Global Risk Solutions Appoints Pete D’Orsi to Chief Data and Analytics Officer

Pete D’Orsi, chief data and analytics officer, Global Risk Solutions

Liberty Mutual’s commercial and specialty (re)insurance operation, Global Risk Solutions, appointed Pete D’Orsi to the newly created role of chief data and analytics officer, reporting to GRS Chief Underwriting Officer James Slaughter.

D’Orsi will partner with primary, specialty and surety businesses across GRS to enhance the unit’s capabilities for customers and brokers through advanced data analytics.  

He will also lead GRS’ Advanced Analytics Hub, compiled of a group of agile data scientists and technologists that accelerate, enhance and deploy machine learning, artificial intelligence and other advanced analytical solutions to add value to GRS customers, brokers and employees.

 Most recently, D’Orsi was the global retail markets’ vice president for business insurance product delivery at Liberty Mutual. 

Jonathan Zaffino Named Group President of Ascot

Ascot Group, a global specialist in complex risk, providing niche specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions, announced the appointment of Jonathan M. Zaffino as group president.

 Zaffino joins Ascot as Group President and will be based in the company’s New York office. He will report to Andrew Brooks, group chief executive officer and will oversee the organization’s U.S. and Bermuda platforms.  He will also have executive responsibility for Ethos Specialty, an MGU in the U.S. market.

 Zaffino brings extensive industry experience and expertise to Ascot, having served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his 26-year career. Zaffino is currently finishing his contractual agreements as President and CEO of Everest Insurance, and executive vice president of Everest Re Group Ltd.  Prior to joining Everest, Zaffino was a managing director at Marsh, before becoming president and chief executive officer of Victor O. Schinnerer – a subsidiary of Marsh.

 “I very much look forward to welcoming Jon to Ascot and working with him as we continue the build out of our U.S. and Bermuda businesses,” said Andrew Brooks, group chief executive officer.

“I am thrilled to join Ascot at this exciting time in its evolution.  I look forward to partnering with Andrew and the executive team, as well as all of the talented Ascot colleagues across the organization to continue on this path of growth and transformation,” commented Zaffino.

Marsh Makes Key Renewable Energy Appointments

Martin Beck, Asia offshore wind and renewable energy leader, Marsh

Oliver Holme, U.K. and U.S. offshore wind leader, Marsh

As part of its commitment to the fast-growing global renewable energy sector, Marsh has announced key leadership appointments within Marsh JLT Specialty’s Renewable Energy team.

Oliver Holme joined Marsh in the newly created role of U.K. and U.S. offshore wind leader, reporting to Hamish Roberts, power leader and Amy Barnes, energy & power leader, US and Canada. Holme most recently served as a lead risk and insurance specialist for a Danish utility’s U.K. and U.S. offshore wind operating assets and developments. Holme is based in London but expected to transfer to Boston in 2021.

Martin Beck has been appointed to the newly created role of Asia offshore wind and renewable energy leader, reporting to Glenn Preece, power & utility leader, Asia. Based in Singapore, Beck was formerly an offshore wind senior client advisor for Marsh GmbH in Hamburg, Germany.

Darren Popham, U.K. renewable energy leader, Marsh

Michael Kolodner, U.S. renewable energy, Marsh

Michael Kolodner joined Marsh in the newly created role of U.S. renewable energy leader, reporting to Barnes as well. Kolodner will be based in Philadelphia. He brings nearly 20 years of operations, brokerage, advisory, and underwriting experience in clean energy risk and insurance management to the role. He joins Marsh from Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd., where he was most recently vice president of underwriting.

Darren Popham steps into the newly created role of U.K. renewable energy leader, reporting to Roberts. Based in London, Popham previously was a senior vice president in Marsh JLT Specialty’s Construction Practice where he spent the last 10 years specializing in placing construction insurance for privately owned power plants on a global basis.

 “Marsh has deep capabilities to serve renewable energy clients as the world’s clean energy transition continues with ever greater contributions from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and offshore wind,” said Andrew George, global head, energy & power, Marsh JLT Specialty.

“Our energy clients increasingly need advisors who can help them navigate evolving risk landscapes and provide strategic solutions. The appointments of Oliver, Martin, Michael, and Darren are pivotal as we look to increase our commitment to this dynamic and fast-growing market.”

Catalina Holdings Appoints Derrick Irby as Group Chief Financial Officer

Catalina Holdings announced the appointment of Derrick Irby to the position of group chief financial officer. He is based in Bermuda and started his new position on May 1.

Irby has 22 years of experience advising and leading the finance activities of insurance and reinsurance companies, including managing finance operations, structuring (re)insurance and capital markets transactions, strategic investments, mergers and acquisitions and related integration activities.

His most recent role was head of finance, P&C Insurance & Reinsurance at AXA XL. 

Irby will oversee Catalina’s Group finance function, helping to develop the business across its multiple locations. He is replacing Chris Fleming who was with Catalina since its first acquisition of OPRe in 2005.

 “I am delighted that Derrick has chosen to join Catalina, said Chris Fagan, chief executive of Catalina.

“He has extensive experience as a senior finance professional in insurance and reinsurance, including in the public markets, and will play an important role as we prepare Catalina for its next phase of development.

Irby commented: “I am pleased to join Catalina at this exciting time for the business. I look forward to working with Chris, the management team and the board of directors helping to execute the business’ strategy by capitalizing on the significant opportunities present in the legacy space.” &