Everest unveils leadership changes with Liberty hires

Everest Insurance, the specialty insurance division of Bermuda-based  Everest Re Group, has revealed leadership changes in its distribution, specialty casualty, and Everest Specialty Underwriters (ESU) business units.

Marcus Cooper has been named as head of distribution for Everest Insurance North America, based in the company’s Chicago office. He joins Everest from Liberty Mutual where he served as division president for the midwest region. Prior to that, he worked at Zurich for 12 years as the head of middle markets in Zurich’s commercial insurance, middle market Division.

Michael Finnegan has been named head of E&S casualty, based in the company’s Stamford office. He will be responsible for leading E&S primary casualty, E&S excess casualty, and environmental. He comes to Everest from Ironshore (a Liberty Mutual company) where he most recently served as president of the specialty casualty division.

Finally, Charlie Higham has been named head of management and professional lines, based in the company’s New York City office. He has been with Everest for five years and most recently served as vice president, head of financial institutions for Everest Insurance.

Mike Karmilowicz, president and CEO of Everest Insurance, said: “Marcus’ diverse industry experience including business development, underwriting and risk management, will be integral to the continued growth of our North American insurance operation. I am confident that Marcus will drive our trading partner relationships and take our distribution strategy to the next level.”

Connie Germano, president of specialty casualty at Everest Insurance, added: “Michael joins Everest with a deep and varied skill set in casualty. His varied background in both (re)insurance and visibility in the wholesale broker community will be a valued addition to Everest Insurance and our expansion efforts within the wholesale distribution space.”

Rob Clark, senior vice president and head of ESU, commented: “Charlie has been working in the management and professional liability space for over 20 years. His comprehensive expertise in addition to the successful management of our Financial Institutions portfolio has made him the natural choice for this role. I look forward to where Charlie will take our Professional and Management Liability business in 2021 and beyond.”

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