QBE North America, an operating division of QBE Group, has appointed Russell Johnston as chief executive officer for its North America operations.
Mr. Johnston succeeds David Duclos, who is retiring from full-time executive employment.
The company said in a statement that Mr. Duclos will remain with QBE as a non-executive director of QBE's emerging markets operations and Equator Re and also will provide his market expertise to operational initiatives across QBE Group.
Mr. Johnston has more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry in North America, and has held a range of business and operational roles since joining American International Group Inc. (“AIG”) in 1990. From 2011 to November 2015, Mr. Johnson served as president of AIG's casualty operations in the Americas, with responsibility for all United States, Canada, Bermuda, and London-based U.S. casualty underwriters.
John Neal, the group's chief executive officer, said of the appointment, “I am delighted to welcome Russ to QBE, bringing his depth of industry experience at some of the most global insurers to build on the firm foundations established by Dave.”
Mr. Neal added, “Since joining QBE in 2013, Dave has done a remarkable job of transforming and refocusing QBE's North American business, posting three consecutive years of performance improvement. Our business is now built on a sound platform for profitable growth as a specialist insurer and reinsurer. I am pleased we will continue to have access to Dave's energy, skills and enthusiasm as we grow our global business.”
Mr. Johnston will be based in New York.
Steven A. Meyerowitz
Steven A. Meyerowitz, a Harvard Law School graduate, is the founder and president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. He may be contacted at [email protected].