The 2026 Executives to Watch: BHSI’s Hilary Browne

As Global Chief Underwriting Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) Hilary Browne has her finger on the pulse of many insurance markets, including property & marine, casualty & health care, executive & professional lines, and accident & health.

Hilary Browne, global chief underwriting officer, Berkshire
Hathaway Specialty Insurance

In addition to overseeing the underwriting functions across these product lines, she also manages the Global Underwriting Affairs and Multi-National Insurance teams. She collaborates with underwriting leadership across regions to drive underwriting strategy, ensuring alignment with local market conditions while maintaining a consistent global framework and long-term profitability.

At its core, the multi-faceted nature of Browne’s role demands a willingness to continually learn and evolve.

“Having a deep sense of curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning has helped me remain adaptable and open-minded, especially in an industry that continues to evolve rapidly,” Browne said.

She also focuses on building her organization by assembling teams of the right people. Attracting and developing talent, with a focus on diversity, inclusion and collaboration, is a top priority and passion for Browne.

“One of the most critical and enduring challenges facing insurance leaders is attracting, developing, and retaining top underwriting talent, particularly in specialized and technically complex lines. Building and sustaining high-performing teams with deep expertise is essential to maintaining underwriting discipline and driving consistent, long-term profitability. This requires a deliberate focus on talent, investing in professional development, fostering inclusive and collaborative cultures,” she said.

“I have come to truly value the importance of building diverse and inclusive teams, not only because it reflects the kind of culture I strive to foster, but because it consistently leads to better outcomes through stronger collaboration and more balanced decision-making.”

Collaboration across functions like claims, actuarial, analytics and risk control is also critical to stay on top of an ever-changing global insurance landscape. Shifting regulatory frameworks, risk environments and economies all affect how underwriters evaluate a client’s exposure.

To keep pace with change and maintain a high level of excellence, Browne keeps two goals in mind: agility and resilience. The ability to shift with changes while keeping an eye on long-term strategy and goals is what marks Browne as a leader.

“The increasing complexity and volume of regulatory requirements across jurisdictions, driven by heightened scrutiny, shifting political landscapes, and evolving compliance standards, demand agile leadership and a proactive approach to governance,” she said.

“Embracing change with resilience and agility has enabled me to navigate industry shifts with clarity and confidence.”

Looking ahead, BHSI is expanding its offerings in innovative non-traditional insurance solutions such as parametric coverage — an approach well-suited to address the increasing frequency and severity of climate risks worldwide. The company also sees strong growth potential in bespoke, tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers. &

Hilary Browne has been selected as a 2026 Risk & Insurance® Executive to Watch. To see the other executives selected this year, visit here.