The insurance sector continues to evolve with strategic leadership appointments at Willis Towers Watson (WTW) and MSIG USA, reflecting both companies’ focus on innovation, technology, and market expansion.
WTW Bolsters Insurance Consulting and Technology Division
WTW, a global advisory, broking, and solutions company, announced significant appointments to its Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT) business in June 2025. Scott Van Slyck was named Senior Director of Technology Sales, bringing over 20 years of experience in enterprise software and Insurtech sales from companies like Semsee, SunGard, and Majesco. His role focuses on expanding WTW’s technology footprint and driving revenue growth. Kate Gingras, JD, was appointed Director of Strategy Execution, leveraging her two decades of global experience in enterprise software and insurance operations to align business operations with growth objectives. These moves underscore WTW’s commitment to advancing its technology and innovation strategies. Additionally, WTW named Meredith Baron as Director of Broking – Construction, North America, in June 2025, tapping her expertise from Axa XL to strengthen its construction sector offerings.
MSIG USA Strengthens Leadership and Modernization Efforts
MSIG USA, a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., has made several key appointments to enhance its specialty insurance operations. In June 2025, David Petrone was appointed Northeast Region Distribution Leader, reporting to Joseph Fitzpatrick, Head of Distribution. Petrone’s role focuses on regional distribution strategy, broker and client relationships, and supporting underwriting with market insights. Earlier in May 2025, MSIG USA named Tony Beirne as Chief Actuary and Dale James as Chief Risk Officer, with Beirne overseeing actuarial functions like reserving and pricing strategy, and James focusing on risk management. Jayson Taylor was appointed Head of Casualty in June 2025, bringing over 20 years of underwriting and actuarial experience from roles at Argo Group and QBE North America. Additionally, MSIG USA’s modernization efforts were recognized with a 2025 Celent Model Insurer Award for Legacy and Ecosystem Transformation, highlighting its use of AI, real-time analytics, and cloud-native architecture to streamline operations and drive growth.
Market Context and Implications
These leadership changes align with broader industry trends, including a focus on technology-driven transformation and specialized insurance solutions. WTW’s appointments signal a push to enhance its Insurtech capabilities, while MSIG USA’s moves reflect a strategic emphasis on strengthening regional presence and operational efficiency. Both companies are positioning themselves to navigate a competitive market, with WTW’s Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey noting a 5.3% rise in U.S. commercial insurance rates in Q1 2025, though with a downward trend in rate increases, suggesting a stabilizing market for buyers.
These strategic hires and recognitions highlight WTW and MSIG USA’s efforts to drive innovation, enhance client relationships, and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the global insurance landscape. For more details on WTW’s initiatives, visit wtwco.com, and for MSIG USA’s updates, refer to msigusa.com.