Howden's US casualty director moves to Price Forbes

Chris Harris has joined Price Forbes as managing director and head of US casualty. He brings more than three decades of experience placing US casualty business across the London, European, and Bermuda markets.

Harris moves from Howden, where he served as divisional director of US casualty. He has previously held senior roles at Bowring Marsh and BMS. He has also worked in underwriting at several managing general agents.

Price Forbes said the appointment takes effect immediately. Three weeks ago, the broker added casualty lines to its Lectio cross-class follow facility. That move covered placements in the US, Canada, and Australia and brought Lectio's total premium scope to approximately $1.6 billion.

Ardonagh Specialty chief underwriting officer Dan Walsh described casualty as one of Price Forbes' largest lines of business.

US casualty is the one major commercial line where rates are still rising. Marsh put US casualty rates up 7 percent in Q2 2026, while property, cyber, and financial lines all softened. The segment has posted underwriting losses for 14 consecutive years, according to Guy Carpenter. Social inflation, nuclear verdicts, and a litigation environment that shows no sign of easing continue to drive the losses.

That combination of persistent losses and tightening facultative supply is what makes Harris' dual background useful. Most brokers placing US casualty in London have spent their careers on one side of the transaction. Harris has held underwriting roles at MGAs as well as senior broking positions. That gives him a clearer read on where markets will follow and where they won't.

Broker with an underwriter's background

Harris' background spans both sides of a placement. In addition to his broking career at Howden, Bowring Marsh, and BMS, he has held underwriting positions with MGAs. John Thompson, CEO of Price Forbes Broking, said Harris has steered the US casualty market through multiple cycles from both an underwriting and broking perspective.

Price Forbes operates within Ardonagh Specialty, part of the Ardonagh Group. The group trades from London, Bermuda, the United States, and Singapore.

Harris said Price Forbes' relationships with independent US wholesalers and retailers are consistent with the business he knows well. He said mentoring is something he expects to take on as he settles into the role.