People Moves: Markel’s Hastings Named President of W. R. Berkley Syndicate Mgmt; Chaucer Promotes Sharp to Head of Political Violence & Crisis Mgmt

This edition of International People Moves covers appointments at W.R. Berkley and Chaucer.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Markel’s Hastings Named President of W. R. Berkley Syndicate Management

W. R. Berkley Corp. announced the appointment of James Hastings as president of W. R. Berkley Syndicate Management Ltd., the Lloyd’s managing agent for W. R. Berkley Syndicate 1967, effective Feb. 22, 2022.

David Brosnan will continue as chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Syndicate Management Ltd. The company expects that Hastings will assume the role of CEO in 2022, subject to regulatory approval, and that Brosnan will remain on the board of directors of the managing agency following the transition.

Hastings has nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry with a particular focus on the London and international markets across multiple classes of business. Most recently, he led Markel’s international wholesale division, establishing and developing key client and broker relationships and growing the business to a substantial percentage of the group’s revenue. According to his LinkedIn profile, he spent nearly nine years at Markel. He also held roles at QBE Insurance and Hiscox. Hastings is a graduate of the University of Hertfordshire.

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Chaucer Promotes Sharp to Head of Political Violence & Crisis Mgmt

Chaucer, the global specialty re/insurance group announced the appointment of Harriet Sharp as head of Political Violence & Crisis Management as incumbent head Andrew Bauckham departs after 23 years of dedicated service.

Sharp joined Chaucer in 2013 and has over 13 years of market experience, having begun her career at Amlin. A highly respected market leader, Sharp is a regular feature in the Gracechurch London’s Leading Underwriter Survey, which is voted for by London Market brokers. In 2019 and 2020 she was voted the top female underwriter in the market, a testament to her skill and acumen.

Bauckham joined Chaucer in 1998 and established Chaucer’s global civil unrest and terrorism facultative and treaty portfolio in 2006. He is a well-respected figure in the market and has played an integral role in creating one of the strongest political violence and crisis management teams in the market.

“I would like to thank Andy for his tremendous contribution to Chaucer over the last 23 years. Andy has helped create one of the strongest political violence and crisis management teams in the market with global reach through our offices,” said John Fowle, CEO at Chaucer.

“It will come as no surprise to practitioners in the class that Harriet Sharp will assume the role of head of Political Violence and Crisis Management as Andy moves on. Harriet is a highly respected leader and does a magnificent job at Chaucer, and I couldn’t be happier that she has taken on the leadership of the team.”