WTW, Ascot Group, Farmers Insurance, Hiscox: Career moves

April 9, 2024 4:44 PM

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WTW hires Bahna-Nolan for life insurance tech consulting

Insurance advisory, brokerage and solutions company Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has hired Mary J. Bahna-Nolan as a senior director on its North American insurance consulting and technology (ICT) team. Last month, WTW hired Lynda Gammons to lead claims closure solutions for corporate risk and broking in North America.

Most recently, Bahna-Nolan started her own consultancy in 2019. In a career of more than 25 years, she has had engagements or roles with firms including Pacific Life, SCOR, Legal & General America and PwC.

At WTW, Bahna-Nolan will report to Kim Steiner, division leader for the life insurance practice within the ICT team. In the new role, Bahna-Nolan will bring subject matter and technical expertise to client engagements, and develop strategic solutions for life insurance, underwriting and analytics.

Ascot Group adds Dane Lopes as head of U.S. partnership engagement and strategy

Ascot Group announced Dane Lopes as head of U.S. partnership engagement and strategy. In the newly created role, Lopes will lead U.S. distribution and sales strategy. Lopes joins the company from Vantage Risk where he was chief commercial officer. He has held previous positions at Everest Re Group and Swiss Re. Matthew Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Ascot U.S., said in a statement: "Under Dane's leadership, we will continue to foster strong relationships with our U.S. partners. Dane is a seasoned distribution professional and well-versed in the market. His proven leadership skills, deep relationships across multiple distribution channels in the specialty market, and decades of experience implementing a customer-focused distribution plan, will enable us to profitably grow our business where we see strategic opportunity."

Farmers Insurance announces new chief financial officer

Farmers Insurance announced a new chief financial officer for Farmers Group Inc. John Griek, who was previously with Allstate as vice president, property and casualty finance operations, took over the role April 1. Maite Irakoze Baur served as interim chief financial officer and will now resume her role as chief investment officer. Raul Vargas, president and chief executive officer of FGI, said in a statement: "I am pleased to welcome John to the Farmers team and look forward to working together as we continue to execute on our strategic plans for achieving long-term, profitable growth for the Farmers enterprise."

Hiscox appoints Leigh Hellrung COO in U.S.

Specialty global insurer Hiscox has appointed Leigh Hellrung chief operating officer in the U.S., reporting to Kevin Kerridge, CEO of Hiscox USA.

Hellrung will lead all aspects of the U.S. operations including service delivery, strategy, transformation, data and process excellence. Previously, Hellrung held roles in customer experience, service delivery and strategic operations with Farmers Insurance and Zurich Financial Services.

"Leigh has earned a well-deserved reputation as an inclusive transformational leader with a glittering track record of creating best-in-class experiences, " said Kerridge in a written statement. "She's joining a team that shares her passion for delivering impactful touchpoints with our customers and crafting moments that matter, and I have no doubt that Leigh will be a driving force through our next phase of growth in the U.S. business."

Standard Insurance Company appoints Lauren Canfield as VP, corporate actuary and chief risk officer

Standard Insurance Company named Lauren Canfield as vice president, corporate actuary and chief risk officer. Canfield succeeds Sally Manafi who joined the company in 1992 is retiring. "In her previous roles, Lauren provided key actuarial consultation and insight on financial and capital forecasting, investments and across multiple product lines. Lauren's breadth of experience, actuarial expertise and leadership acumen have prepared her to serve in these new roles," said Dan McMillan, president and chief executive officer at The Standard, said in a statement.

HSB Canada names Barbara Bellissimo as president, chief executive officer

HSB Canada appointed Barbara Bellissimo as president and chief executive officer. Bellissimo will replace John Mulvihill, who is retiring. "I have had the pleasure of working with Barbara during her tenure as board member and chair. In addition to her wealth of industry experience, she brings a strong commitment to achieving our growth ambition, and a passion for talent development and inclusivity," Peter Richter, board member of HSB Canada and divisional head, HSB Group, said in a statement.

NFP hires surety executive Deanna Brewer

Property and casualty insurance broker NFP has hired Deanna Brewer as senior vice president, account manager, surety, in Canada. Brewer has more than 25 years of surety experience. Before joining NFP, she held a senior surety account management position with a global broker.

NFP's commercial surety risk practice is part of its Construction and Infrastructure (C&I) Group, co-led by David Bowcott, Adrian Pellen and John Hyland. The C&I group, which covers the U.S. and Canada, addresses the risk advisory needs of North American clients.

Gradient AI hires new VP of marketing

Insurance AI solutions provider Gradient AI has hired Alan Sherman as vice president of marketing. Sherman brings more than 25 years of leadership and marketing experience to the role from the education, retail and technology industries.

"Alan's extensive background in marketing leadership and proven track record of driving growth and innovation make him a valuable addition to our executive team," said Stan Smith, CEO and founder, Gradient AI. "His strategic vision and expertise help support our mission of empowering insurers in the Group Health, P&C, and workers' compensation markets to leverage AI to more effectively and efficiently support and grow their businesses."

Novidea brings on Jeff Heine as revenue exec

Novidea, an insurance management platform for brokers, agents, MGAs/MGUs, carriers, and wholesalers, has hired Jeff Heine as chief revenue officer. Heine has 20 years of P&C insurance industry experience, most recently as chief revenue officer for Betterview, the property intelligence platform now owned by Nearmap. Heine's other roles have been with Groundspeed Analytics, Guidewire Software and Adsensa.

"I've spent the last two decades helping insurance brokers and carriers better assess and price risk, manage core processes and systems, and create efficiencies. I came to Novidea because I wanted to help reduce the friction brokers and carriers still experience in the insurance placement process and contribute to an innovative fast-growing company," Heine said.