CAC Specialty sets up natural resources practice with JLT & McGriff hires

Specialty insurance brokerage and investment banking business CAC Specialty has formed a new practice focussed on the energy, mining, power, and alternative energy sectors.

The company has appointed Gary King as executive chairman for its newly-formed natural resources practice, and Lisa Harris as executive vice president of client service.

King joins from McGriff, where he has been a client advisor and thought leader in the energy and marine division for 20 years.

Harris joins CAC Specialty with more than 17 years’ experience in the insurance brokerage industry, most recently as managing director at Marsh JLT Specialty.

Both the executives will work alongside Josh Kirklin, EVP of the oil and gas practice. The oil and gas practice is based out of Cobbs Allen’s Houston office, which will rebrand as CAC Specialty as part of CAC’s new natural resources initiative.

Kirklin said: “We are confident that Lisa’s client focus, strong market relationships, and broad market respect will help drive further client momentum in this space. Gary King is one of the brightest minds in our industry and I could not be happier about partnering with him to serve our clients.”

Bruce Denson Jr., president at CAC Specialty and Cobbs Allen, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Lisa and Gary to the team and to launch CAC’s Natural Resources Practice. This is the first of many steps towards the alignment of our businesses to position us to bring specialty resources to our natural resources clients. We are focused on bringing specialist talent to our clients, which is a critical part of our U.S. growth strategy.”

King commented: "Leading companies in the natural resource industry are demanding the kind of thought leadership, innovation, service quality, and independence that CAC and Cobbs Allen are building. Aligning these requirements with private ownership will continue to help CAC attract highly motivated partners that will deliver the best results for clients. I am delighted to be joining an organization that has a clear vision and deliberate execution strategy in an industry that I feel so passionate about.”