The company said Ashley is expected to succeed current CEO Clare Himmer after her retirement at the end of 2025.
Ashley brings more than 30 years of experience in the international reinsurance sector. According to the company, he most recently led the London division of a global multiline reinsurer, overseeing international property and casualty reinsurance operations outside North America and Bermuda.
Himmer, who joined Berkley Re UK in 2021, has 33 years of industry experience in property and casualty reinsurance. The company said she will remain in her role during the transition and continue contributing to both the UK division and the broader corporate operations through the end of her tenure.
Berkley Re this year marked its 50th anniversary. Over the past five decades, it expanded into five global business units – Berkley Re America, UK, Australia, Asia and the Solutions arm – reflecting the company’s widening footprint across reinsurance markets.
Earlier this year, Berkley Re also established a new Turnkey Solutions division designed to provide reinsured, white-label reinsurance offerings to carriers, MGAs, program administrators and insurtech firms. The division covers lines such as cyber, EPLI, contractors’ professional liability, crime, workplace violence and personal Violent Event Protection.
At the group level, W.R. Berkley Corp. launched a new business unit – Berkley Embedded Solutions – in early 2025. It aims to integrate insurance products directly into customers’ purchase experiences through a digital-first, technology-driven model. The company named Stephanie Lloyd as its first president.
In its first quarter the year, W.R. Berkley Corp. reported a net income of US$417.6 million and record net premiums written reaching US$3.13 billion. The company posted a combined ratio of 90.9%, including 3.7 percentage points attributed to catastrophe losses, while return on equity stood at 19.9%.
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