Chubb reshuffles North America leadership following retirement

Property/casualty insurer Chubb has appointed Gerard Butler as division president of its North America insurance field operations, and senior vice president of Chubb Group.

Butler succeeds Harold Morrison who will retire at the end of the year.

In his new role, Butler will have responsibility for the field organization in North America, which includes 48 offices in the US and Canada. He will also be responsible for executing Chubb's North American business strategies locally.

Butler most recently served as the chief operating officer of North America field operations. Prior to the ACE acquisition of Chubb in January 2016, he served as executive vice president and US field territory operations manager for Chubb.

Butler will report to John Lupica, vice chairman, Chubb Group and president of North America major accounts and specialty insurance.

"Jerry's strong field management expertise, industry knowledge, and extensive leadership experience make him an ideal fit for this role," Lupica said. "I look forward to working with him as he takes on this strategically pivotal role in helping to continue meeting the multifaceted needs of our agent and broker partners."

Through the remainder of the year, Morrison will work with Chubb's overseas general insurance division providing strategic direction for the development of underwriting and distribution structures and processes to best serve its expansion into the commercial middle market segment in Asia, Latin America and Europe. This work will include ensuring appropriate organizational structures, distribution and product strategies, service capabilities, and technology solutions, according to the company.

Morrison joined The Chubb Corporation in 1984 and during the course of his career has held a number of managerial and leadership positions for the company. Prior to the acquisition, Morrison was executive vice president of The Chubb Corporation and served as chief global field officer and chief administrative officer, responsible for the company's global field organization, worldwide human resources and the company's administrative areas.

"Harold's commitment and contributions to Chubb during his tenure have been outstanding. He has been a thoughtful and collaborative partner to me and our broader team since the merger and I look forward to working with him and Jerry on a smooth transition in addition to his continued endeavors for the company," Lupica commented. "On behalf of the senior management team and all of Chubb, we thank him for his contributions and wish him all the very best during retirement."

Succeeding Butler is Jeffrey Updyke, chief operating officer of North American field operations. In his new role, reporting to Butler, Updyke will assist in the day-to-day management of the North American field operations, with specific focus on distribution management, data analytics and sales. In addition, he will oversee Chubb Insurance Solutions Agency.

Updyke most recently served as executive vice president, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional manager for Chubb's commercial insurance unit. Prior to the acquisition, he was the Northeast region chief operating officer.

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