Liberty Mutual CEO shakes up key leadership with eye on better opportunities

Liberty Mutual Insurance has unveiled a swathe of executive leadership appointments to help capitalise on opportunities across the business. The move follows the announcement that its long-serving Global Risk Solutions president will leave at the end of the year.

The company's chairman and chief executive officer David Long believes that these changes mark an "important chapter" for Liberty Mutual, and its new structure will provide more creative, complete solutions for its customers/partners and create better opportunities to address their evolving needs.

Dennis Langwell, current president of Global Risk Solutions, has announced his retirement and will serve in an advisory capacity as vice chairman of Liberty Mutual insurance operations through the end of the year. He has held multiple leadership roles during his 26-year career at Liberty Mutual.

New Liberty Mutual executive appointments include Tim Sweeney, Neeti Bhalla Johnson, Jim MacPhee and Vlad Barbalat, effective July 1.

Sweeney is named president of Liberty Mutual. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s three business units (Global Risk Solutions, Global Retail Markets, Liberty Mutual Investments) and will report to company Long. Sweeney was previously president of Global Retail Markets.

Bhalla Johnson is named president of Global Risk Solutions. She will be responsible for overseeing the company’s commercial and specialty insurance business unit and will report to Sweeney. Bhalla Johnson was previously president and chief investment officer, Liberty Mutual Investments.

MacPhee is appointed president of Global Retail Markets, responsible for overseeing the company’s retail insurance business unit and will report to Sweeney. MacPhee was previously president and chief operating officer, Global Retail Markets - US.

Finally, Barbalat is named president and chief investment officer of Liberty Mutual Investments. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s investments business unit and will report to Sweeney. Barbalat was previously executive managing director and co-head of strategy & asset allocation, Liberty Mutual Investments.

“Today’s announcement marks an important chapter for the company," said Long. "These new executive leadership appointments better position us now and in the future as a leading global insurer and will help us capitalise on opportunities across our businesses. I continue to be extremely proud of the commitment shown by our employees and leadership to accelerate innovation, prioritize digital-first and data-driven results and harness our full resources to provide excellent service to our customers around the world.”

Long thanked Langwell for his "extraordinary contributions" made at the company and in the industry. He said: “Not only did Dennis lead tremendous growth for Liberty Mutual during numerous roles and across multiple functions, he’s also been instrumental in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts as a champion for our Employee Resource Groups. I am personally grateful for his counsel and friendship and we wish him the very best.”

Langwell commented: “It’s been a true honor to be part of Liberty Mutual for over 25 years and I’m very proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved together. I highly respect the extensive business and leadership experience that Neeti brings to the executive team and Global Risk Solutions. Liberty Mutual continues to be a global leader in the industry and has a great future ahead.”

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