Leadership Transformations in Specialty Insurance: Key Appointments and Strategies

Wholesale, fronting, and specialty insurance platforms are undergoing strategic leadership transformations with new appointments aimed at enhancing underwriting management, program implementation, and alternative risk capabilities across the United States. These changes reflect a commitment to addressing regulatory compliance requirements and bolstering industry expertise. Key Leadership Changes in Underwriting and Risk Management CRC Group has appointed Matt Blessing as the office president in Kansas City, Missouri, where he will continue to lead CRC Select's binding operations. Blessing's responsibilities revolve around refining underwriting strategies, cultivating talent, and driving market expansion, all while maintaining robust relationships with retail partners and carriers. He brings two decades of underwriting and binding authority experience to his role. MS Transverse has named Tom McGrath as senior vice president, head of program underwriting. Reporting directly to Chief Program Officer Ethan Allen, McGrath will oversee underwriting execution across managing general agent (MGA) and program partnerships. His key focus will be ensuring underwriting consistency and fostering program growth. McGrath's experience spans AIG, where he managed U.S. programs generating approximately $1 billion annually, as well as roles with Old Republic Specialty Insurance Underwriters, ACE Insurance Group (now Chubb), and Munich Re. Enhancements in Alternative Risk Solutions AXA XL has formed a new Alternative Risk Solutions (ARS) team headed by Sylvain Bouteillé, the current chief underwriting officer of specialty lines. This team will centralize expertise to support alternative risk transfer solutions across the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda, beginning with captive solutions. Key members include Austin Su in structured risk solutions and Joseph Davina in group captives. Bouteillé will maintain his current responsibilities alongside his new position. Falcon Risk Services, integrated with HDI, has promoted John Merchant to chief underwriting officer, effective January 1, 2026. As the inaugural team member hired in October 2021, Merchant will direct Falcon’s cyber, professional liability, and management liability sectors, setting strategic underwriting directions. Board and Leadership Transition News Arch Capital Group Ltd. announced that board member John Vollaro will not seek reelection, ending his board service on May 5, 2026. Vollaro, a board member since 2009, previously served as CFO, treasurer, and executive vice president from 2002 to 2009. EverPeak Insurance has optimized its leadership structure under Kathy Kranz as president, following the integration of Method, Attune, and EverPeak. Prior to this role, Kranz was the CFO of Pinnacol Assurance. Alliant Insurance Services has appointed Sara Owens as senior vice president, regional director within the Alliant Americas division, based in Los Angeles. Owens will oversee revenue growth strategies and manage strategic relationships with carriers throughout Southern California.