Three US brokerages have announced appointments across small commercial insurance, wholesale casualty and employee benefits, as firms build out teams in areas facing changing distribution, pricing and client demands.
Brown & Brown has appointed Jay Weber as national head of small business, a newly created position within its Retail segment.
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Weber will lead strategy, growth and modernization across the brokerage’s small commercial business. His remit includes bringing greater coordination across the organization, strengthening carrier relationships and developing distribution channels for small business customers.
The appointment comes as digital capabilities and industry knowledge become increasingly important in small commercial insurance. A 2026 US Small Commercial Insurance Study found that satisfaction with insurers rose 15 points this year, with digital channels recording the largest improvement. However, satisfaction was 203 points higher when both the insurer and agent fully understood the customer’s business than when neither did.
Weber brings more than 20 years of property and casualty insurance experience across underwriting, product strategy, distribution and P&L leadership. He previously led Berkley Southeast Insurance Group and has also held leadership roles at Chubb, The Hartford and Travelers.
“Small businesses are a critical part of the communities we serve, and we see significant opportunity to grow alongside them,” said Jessica Getman, senior managing director for retail at Brown & Brown.
Brown & Riding has added Jarrod Williamson to its National Casualty Practice, where he will focus on large and complex casualty risks.
Williamson has 14 years of insurance experience and specializes in real estate, construction and hospitality. He began his career as a retail broker before moving into wholesale broking two years later.
His arrival continues a broader buildout of the wholesale broker’s casualty operation. Brown & Riding named Adam Lowe national casualty practice leader in March and has also added Austin Hebert, Abe Kane and Stephen Armstrong to the practice during 2026.
That expansion comes as casualty continues to account for a growing share of the US E&S market. WSIA midyear data covering 15 stamping-office states showed non-professional liability premium rose 11.2% in the first half of 2026 and represented 39.6% of total surplus-lines premium. Property premium, by comparison, fell 13.7%.
“Jarrod joins us as an accomplished broker with proven expertise in complex casualty risks,” said Jeff Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer at Brown & Riding.
Lockton has appointed Adam Hull as Northeast People Solutions practice leader, putting him in charge of the brokerage’s employee benefits business across the region.
Hull brings more than 20 years of employee benefits experience. Since joining Lockton in 2019, he has led the Washington, D.C. People Solutions practice and most recently served as Northeast middle market leader, following earlier leadership roles at two global professional services firms.
Hull moves into the role as employers face continued pressure from healthcare costs. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed private-industry health benefit costs rose 6% in the 12 months through June 2026, compared with a 3.1% increase in wages and salaries over the same period.
“Adam knows Lockton, he knows this business, and he knows the people who make it work,” said Josh Korzon, chief operating officer for the Northeast region at Lockton.
