People Moves: Liberty Specialty Markets Promotes Unstad as Head of Nordics; BHSI Appoints Howe as Head of Claims, Australasia

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Liberty Specialty Markets and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance.

A summary of these executive hires follows here.

Liberty Specialty Markets Promotes Unstad as Head of Nordics

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, announced the appointment of Daniel Unstad as head of Liberty Nordics, effective immediately.

Based in Oslo, he reports to Roland Richter, regional executive and senior vice president head of Surety – EMEA, and Rob Groenen, general manager, LSM Benelux & Nordics.

Unstad brings 25 years of insurance and surety experience to his new role and will be responsible for developing the strategic direction in the region. He will further oversee the development of a combined surety and insurance team and establish Oslo as LSM’s underwriting and distribution hub for the Nordic region.

He previously served as Liberty’s head of surety in Norway, a position he retains, and before that he was chief operating officer of MGA House of Guarantees, which was acquired by Liberty Mutual in 2024.

His appointment underlines LSM’s growth plans for the Nordics, having identified considerable potential due to heightened volatility in recent years driving increased demand from corporate buyers, the company said, noting that the region is further strategically important to LSM’s broader European expansion plans, with Unstad key to achieving sustainable, long-term Nordic growth.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Daniel to this highly significant new role. His extensive experience and expertise will help deliver a powerful combined insurance and surety proposition to the Nordic markets,” commented Groenen.

***

BHSI Appoints Howe as Head of Claims, Australasia

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced it has promoted Megan Howe to the expanded role of head of Claims, Australasia.

In her new role, Howe will report to Mark Lingafelter, president, BHSI Australasia, and Dave Crowe, chief claims officer, BHSI.

Howe joined BHSI in 2015 as head of Claims, New Zealand. She assumed responsibility for claims relating to its global program business in 2021. She has served as a member of the Australasia leadership team since 2019. Prior to BHSI, she spent 20 years as a lawyer, where she specialized in defense, coverage, and regulatory work for insurers and professionals.

“The regional leadership team have been working alongside Megan for some time, and we look forward to continuing the partnership as Megan takes on a wider leadership role across our region,” said Lingafelter.

Howe is based in Auckland, New Zealand, and can be reached at Megan.Howe@bhspecialty.com.

Topics Claims Excess Surplus