Insurance veteran to launch new specialty business

Insurance veteran who has built and scaled several businesses including  Sompo International,  Vantage and  Endurance has joined super-regional US property/casualty insurer Westfield to launch a new specialty business.

Westfield is entering the specialty insurance market with the hiring of Jack Kuhn (pictured) as president of Westfield Specialty.

The company said the current market conditions and its ambition to diversify its portfolio drove the decision to enter this market.

Kuhn has been responsible for US and global insurance portfolios of more than $6 billion in premiums across the various executive leadership roles he’s held within the insurance industry. Most recently, he served as the chief executive officer of insurance at Vantage Group. Prior to that, he was the CEO of global insurance at Bermuda-based Sompo International, and before that held the same role at Endurance.

Kuhn has also worked at AXIS Capital for almost a decade, serving in key leadership roles, including chief underwriting officer of AXIS Insurance, CEO of North America Insurance, and CEO of professional lines, among others.

Prior to AXIS, he worked for over 12 years with P&C insurer Chubb where he served in various management positions from 1986 to 1999.

Ed Largent, Westfield president, CEO and board chair, said: “Our expectation is to methodically enter lines of business where we can attract top talent and grow profitably. Westfield Specialty will allow us to bring even more value to customers as we broaden our presence in the P&C marketplace.”

“Hiring the right leader was paramount,” Largent added. “Jack is a veteran, experienced insurance leader ready to launch a successful specialty business at Westfield. He is highly respected throughout the insurance and reinsurance industry and has a strong talent network to tap into as he builds his team.”

Kuhn commented: “I am excited about the opportunity to establish a broad and diverse portfolio of specialty business through deep relationships and expertise. We’re building something that will stand the test of time.”

Did you get value from this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.