Chris Gallagher is retiring as president and chief executive of Hudson Insurance Group after 24 years with the company. Odyssey Group Holdings CEO Carl Overy (pictured) will step into the role effective October 1, adding it to his existing group responsibilities.
Odyssey Group, Hudson's Stamford, Connecticut-based parent, announced the changes. The appointment makes Overy the operating head of two of Odyssey Group's three underwriting franchises simultaneously.
Gallagher joined Hudson in 2002 and became CEO in 2009, a tenure spanning 17 years in the top role. "It's been a great privilege to build and lead Hudson," he said. "I'm simply ready for a change in direction."
Overy said Gallagher had "led Hudson with distinction since 2009" and credited him with 24 years of dedicated service.
Hudson also named two internal successors as part of its leadership transition. Trevor Howard will be appointed chief underwriting officer, and Andre Virgilio will assume the role of chief operating officer for Hudson Crop & Livestock.
Howard joined Hudson in 2018 from Liberty Mutual, where he served as chief underwriting officer of management and professional liability lines. He built out and now leads HudsonPro, Hudson's professional lines platform spanning management liability, financial institutions, medical professional, and errors and omissions. He also oversees commercial auto, surety, subcontractor default insurance, and ceded re.
Virgilio joined Hudson in 2012 and has led the livestock team for the past two years. He brings more than two decades of crop insurance experience to the expanded role.
Overy said the promotions were intended to preserve the company's culture and underwriting discipline. "Both Trevor and Andre have been outstanding performers, and these promotions recognize their leadership, contributions and readiness for expanded responsibilities," he said.
Hudson Insurance Group is the US insurance subsidiary of Odyssey Group Holdings, Inc., itself a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. Hudson writes specialty primary and excess coverage on both admitted and non-admitted bases for corporations, professional firms, and individuals through retailers, wholesalers, and program administrators.
