AGCS taps new global head of specialty

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has announced the appointment of Gordon Browne as global head of specialty, effective in April. Browne will report to Shanil WIlliams, chief underwriting officer at AGCS.

In his new role, Browne will lead the underwriting and further development of AGCS’s specialty businesses: aviation, energy and construction, entertainment, and marine.

Together, the specialty businesses represented nearly 30% of the €11.2 billion (about $12 billion) in gross written premiums that AGCS underwrote in 2022.

The appointment reflects the strategic importance of specialty in AGCS’s global business and the opportunities created by Allianz’s integrated commercial strategy, the company said. Under this strategy, AGCS will partner closely with national Allianz P&C companies to present one face to the market for commercial business, with the new trading name of Allianz Commercial.

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Gordon has almost 20 years of industry experience in the US and the UK. He joins AGCS from AIG, where he served as global head of energy and construction and head of North American specialty. During his time at AIG, Gordon also served as UK head of energy and construction and global product line executive for energy and engineered risks. He has also held leadership positions at Liberty International Underwriters and Marsh.

“I’m delighted to welcome Gordon to our leadership team,” Williams said. “Specialty customers are an important part of our client base and, with the launch of Allianz Commercial, the moment is right to invest in and develop this area further. Gordon will work with the specialty leadership team to reinforce our strong position in this segment, as well as ensuring that specialty plays a significant role in the partnership with Allianz’s national companies as we grow the wider commercial business.”

AGCS recently released a report spotlighting the risks in the entertainment sector, one of its specialty lines of business.

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