Fitzpatrick Named President of QBE Specialty

NU Online News Service, Aug. 3, 2:47 p.m. EDT

The Americas Division of Australian insurer/reinsurer QBE announced the appointment of Stephen Fitzpatrick as president of QBE Specialty Insurance, replacing Susan Rivera, who resigned in June.

Mr. Fitzpatrick previously served as senior vice president and manager for the firm's special lines and affinity group business, the company said.

As vice president Mr. Fitzpatrick oversaw QBE Specialty's customized program business for specific industry groups and directed operations in Itasca, Ill.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Kan.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Southfield, Mich.

QBE Specialty Insurance is the largest business unit within the Americas Division, contributing more than $1.5 billion of gross written premium in 2008.

The specialty unit includes the underwriting programs of QBE and the former Praetorian Financial Group and North Pointe Insurance Company and writes in all 50 states.

Mr. Fitzpatrick has 33 years of industry experience, including six years with the Insurance Corporation of Hannover, the parent company of Praetorian, which QBE acquired in 2007.

Mitchell Luedtke, who has served as vice president, special lines and affinity group, will now lead that line of business as senior vice president under Mr. Fitzpatrick, the company said.

QBE Insurance Group Limited is based in Sydney, Australia; the Americas Division, headquartered in New York, conducts business through various property and casualty insurance subsidiaries in eight countries.