Around the Industry: Feb. 9, 2015

People & Places

Atlanta-based claims and risk management company Crawford & Company named Larry C. Thomas its newest CEO of U.S. property and casualty. Thomas replaces David Repinksi, who held the position for the past two years, but will still act as chief executive officer of Crawford's Contractor Connection unit.

CNA Financial Corp. appointed Jeff Zehr vice president of segment underwriting. Zehr has more than 20 years of experience and started with CNA two years ago as assistant vice president and underwriting segment leader for commercial insurance. 

Michael A. Fleischer has joined IFG Cos., a privately held insurance P&C group, as its new executive vice president and chief underwriting officer. Prior to IFG, Fleischer held a number of positions at the Chubb Group of Insurance Cos. 

York Risk Services Group, a national provider of alternative risk programs and claims management, hired insurance veteran Steve Rodriguez as senior vice president. Rodriguez has worked in leadership positions at many prominent insurers for the past 25 years. 

New Programs 

Starr Cos. has designed and implemented a Commercial Insurance Umbrella policy specifically for small businesses. The policy will provide limits of up to $5 million, in $1 million increments.

M&A

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced its acquisition of Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers Ltd, and insurance broker based out of Ottawa, Ontario. Financial details of the acquisition were not released.  

Both AXIS Capital's and PartnerRe Ltd.'s boards of directors unanimously approved a plan to combine the two companies in an $11 billion merger last week. AXIS Capital's CEO, Albert A. Benchimol, will serve as CEO of the combined company.

Anbang Insurance Group, a China-based insurance group, has the green light from U.S. regulators to buy up the world-famous Waldorf Astoria, located on Park Avenue in Manhattan. Anbang's original proposition was announced last October with a bid for the hotel at $1.95 billion.