Liberty plucks Chubb/Travelers vet as global head of cyber

Liberty Mutual Insurance has bolstered its global cyber expertise and underwriting capabilities by making two key appointments, including a senior leader from Chubb/Travelers. The strategic additions aim to enhance the company’s ability to navigate complex emerging global risks and better manage exposure.

Patrick Thielen (pictured) has been appointed as global head of cyber within Liberty Mutual Global Risk Solutions (GRS), where he will lead the development and execution of the insurer’s cyber strategy across the globe to better manage risks. Thielen will report to GRS Insurance Solutions president Elizabeth Geary.

Thielen joins Liberty Mutual from Chubb, where he served for almost eight years, most recently as senior vice president, tech E&O, and cyber insurance product lead. Prior to Chubb, Thielen held various strategic and technical positions at Travelers for 12 years.

The GRS has also promoted Jelmer Andela to the newly created role of head of cyber underwriting for Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), its London-based specialty insurer.

In his new role, Andela will be responsible for leading execution of GRS’ global cyber strategy across LSM, building a single view of cyber for that operation, and being a trusted advisor to its regional chief underwriting officers, who remain responsible for managing cyber profit and loss in their regions.

Andela will report to both Thielen and LSM CUO Rachel Conran. Prior to this, he was portfolio manager and cyber underwriting manager for Europe & Middle East for LSM, and has been at the company since 2017.

The move follows the formation of the company’s new global cyber office and appointment of key leaders, including Dan Frusciano as North America head of cyber underwriting, Matthew Hogg as global cyber product leader, and Ivonne Staisch as Liberty Mutual Reinsurance head of cyber underwriting.

Geary said: “Patrick’s strong cyber leadership and expertise make him the ideal candidate for this critical role. He is responsible for maximizing the value we add to brokers and buyers through a clear risk appetite, consistent global approach and dedicated cyber advisory, underwriting and claims teams.”

Conran added: “Jelmer has more than two decades of experience in the insurance market, underwriting across multiple lines of business, and is an exceptional cyber specialist. That experience enables him to optimise profitability across our cyber portfolio.”

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