Brilliance in Focus: Power Broker John Raymond of Marsh Risk

As part of covering the best brokers in the commercial insurance space, Risk & Insurance®, with the sponsorship of Philadelphia Insurance Companies, is expanding its coverage of Power Broker® winners and finalists with its Brilliance in Focus series.

Look for these expanded profiles on the Risk & Insurance website and in your social media feeds throughout the year.

Here we talk to John Raymond, a senior vice president with Marsh Risk and a 2026 Transportation Power Broker.

Risk & Insurance: What drew you to working in this particular niche of the insurance industry?

John Raymond: Like many people in insurance, I found my way here by chance. Early in my career, a competitor recruited me with an opportunity to try something different. Thirty years later, I’m still grateful I said yes.

What ultimately made me commit to railroad insurance is simple: the people and the work. I’m energized by our clients, my colleagues, our underwriting partners, and the role we play as brokers and risk advisors. Our clients are truly unique, and they value that Marsh has a practice fully dedicated to the railroad industry. My colleagues are among the best in the market, bringing diverse experience and a shared commitment to solving complex challenges. Our underwriting partners understand rail, bring deep expertise, and help us build solutions that support clients’ broader risk strategies. And personally, I love the challenge of unlocking the right solutions—it’s demanding work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

R&I: What is the one thing about the transportation risk environment today that would have shocked you on your first day?

JR: For an industry that’s such a critical engine of commerce, the world of railroad insurance—both freight and passenger—is surprisingly small and close-knit. Clients often know one another, and underwriters know both their competitors and their railroad customers. Our conferences are smaller, we interact regularly, and relationships tend to be more personal. The insurance industry overall is massive, so I never would have expected railroad insurance to feel like such a tight community.

R&I: As a seasoned professional, what is one piece of “unconventional wisdom” you repeat to younger brokers?

JR: Don’t be afraid to do things differently. Experiment, take smart risks, and find better ways to deliver value. There’s an art to broking, and you won’t discover your strengths—or what you’re truly capable of—if you only follow the standard playbook. Distinguish yourself, and give yourself a chance to shine.

R&I: If you could change one thing about the current relationship between brokers, carriers, and insureds in the transportation space, what would it be?

JR: Because the railroad insurance community is so small, it naturally supports more transparent relationships among brokers, underwriters, and railroads—and I see that as a real positive. I wouldn’t want to change that dynamic.

If I could change one thing, it would be to reduce the volatility of market cycles that drive capacity, pricing, and coverage. More stability would benefit everyone. In a steadier market, railroads can plan with greater confidence and make more informed buying decisions. From a broker’s perspective, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is sitting with clients, walking through the solutions we’ve built, and clearly outlining the tradeoffs across options. When the market is unstable, coverage and terms can shift dramatically year over year, making it harder for clients to avoid the volatility they’re working to manage. &