WR Berkley launches new entity to serve large businesses in California

Property/casualty insurer  WR Berkley Corporation has formed a new business focussed on providing workers’ compensation insurance to large businesses in California.

The company has launched Berkley Enterprise Risk Solutions, with the appointment of Wayne Bryan as president, and Hale Johnston as chief operating officer (COO) of the new business.

Bryan has nearly 35 years of California workers’ compensation experience. Most recently, he led the enterprise large account business unit for a western-based, super-regional commercial insurance company and provider of workers’ compensation and commercial insurance solutions.

During his more than 30-year career in insurance, Johnston has held various executive and leadership positions in the insurance industry and has implemented new technology platforms, consolidated operations and introduced new streams of revenue. He has served on the Board of Governors for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) and as chairman of the Board of Directors for the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI).

Robert Berkley, Jr., president and chief executive officer of WR Berkley Corporation, said: “Berkley Enterprise Risk Solutions will offer specialised workers’ compensation solutions to California-based clients with sophisticated risk management capabilities and interests.

"We are pleased to be expanding our expertise to this segment of the market with dedicated capabilities and expertise. Wayne and Hale both have extensive backgrounds and a wealth of knowledge in the large account California workers’ compensation space. We are confident that they will provide outstanding leadership to their new team as they deliver exceptional solutions to the market. We are excited to welcome them to Berkley.”

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