Hires and Promotions at Philadelphia, Zurich, Sterling, Markel and More - Around the Industry

People & Places

Philadelphia Insurance Cos.'s CEO Jamie Maguire will step aside at the end of 2012, but will remain chairman of the board. Sean S. Sweeney, the current president and COO, will assume the title of president and CEO on January 1, 2013. Both men have dedicated most of their careers to Philadelphia's success.

Kathleen Savio was named president of programs and direct markets for Zurich North American Commercial. She will be responsible for working with the programs and direct markets teams to build and execute operating plans and deliver growth while remaining true to business strategies and visions.

Sterling Ascend Insurance Resources hired Susan Simpson as vice president. Simpson has more than 30 years of industry experience and is the first Utah executive to be hired in an ongoing growth operation to expand into the Utah and Intermountain West markets.

Sophia Duffy joined The American College as assitant professor of employee benefits. Duffy will teach courses on financial statements, compensation and human resource management.

Markel Corp. promoted Greg Thompson to president of Markel Specialty. He has more than 30 years of industry experience and formed Thompson Insurance Enterprises (THOMCO) with his father in 1979. THOMCO was acquired by Markel in January 2012. Bob Heaphey assumed the role of managing executive for THOMCO as Thompson moves on to his new responsibilities.

Todd Lauer was appointed vice president of medical technology at OneBeacon Technology Insurance. He will be accountable for underwriting, business development and strategic innovation for the medical technology business.

Mergers & Acquisitions

IDP Holdings acquired the hospitality business of National Specialty Underwriters, Inc. (NSU). IDP also purchased NSU's Certus Claims Administration, a specialized hospitality claims handling division. The acquisition is in line with IDP's mission to build a premier specialty program manager dedicated to the needs of niche markets within the country.

Marsh & McLennan announced the acquisition of The Protector Group, an agency headquarterd in Worcester, Mass. Protector will further expand the region's employee benefit capabilities and add new property-casualty insurance resources.

New Programs

All Risks, in partnership with Pets Best Insurance and Independence American Insurance Co., announced that Pet Insurance is now available in 32 states. The online platform allows agents to partner with clients while earning compensation for each submitted application. The program has annual and lifetime coverages for cats and dogs. Coverages include routine care such as medical injections, lab tests and emergency visits.

Fidelis Group Holdings and its subsidiary, Continental Underwriters, announced a new Excess Marine Liability facility for the maritime industry. Houston Casualty Co. will insure the program, which is designed to provide coverage for up to $25,000,000 including bubershoot liability excess of acceptable underlying insurers.

News

The Target Markets Program Administrator Assoc. (TMPAA) announced that 9 of its members were awarded the first Certified Program Leader designation during their 12th annual summit: Greg Thompson, THOMCO; Kim Ayala, Landscape Contractors Insurance Services; Joseph Peloso; Peneolpe Thomas; Michael Bachman; Deborah Francis, Liberty International Underwriters and Jeffry Gauthier, Carolyn Miller and Julie Roberts from Great American Insurance Co.

Applied Systems released TAM 12, the newest version of its industry management software. Enhancements include capabilites for writing policies in the commercial middle market, reverse alerts and commercial lines policy writing for Canadian customers. Other additions include Compu-Quote and compatibility with the Canadian eDoc XML.

Guy Carpenter & Co. announced that three members of its actuarial team were awarded the 2011 Variance Prize for leadership in risk valuation, underwriting cycle modeling and risk benchmarks for the property-casualty market. The award is presented to the best paper published in each volume of Variance. John Major, Jessica Leong and Charles Pan will be recognized.

JLT Specialty Limited and Echelon Claims Consultants announced Candy Holland's appointment to deputy president of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA). The Institute's vision is to be the leading voice in the property-casualty claims arena, specifically in setting professional and ethical standards and assuring compliance.