The insurance industry saw a wave of executive appointments this week, spanning a leading P&C software provider, a wholesale benefits general agency, a global specialty carrier's US arm, and a national surety broking practice.
Insurity has appointed Jatin Atre as chief executive officer, succeeding Jeff Clarke, who will remain with the company as executive chairman. Atre had served as Insurity's president since January 2026, overseeing a $50 million commitment to AI-powered R&D and the Andromeda, Borealis and Cassiopeia product releases, which introduced AI, workflow automation, real-time risk intelligence and deeper connectivity across the insurance lifecycle.
The appointment comes as core system replacement has become a competitive battleground among P&C insurance software vendors, with carriers under pressure to modernise legacy platforms while managing rising claims costs and tighter underwriting margins. Atre has announced an additional $100 million commitment over the next two years to modernise core systems with embedded AI and build AI-native insurance products.
"Insurers are looking for technology partners that can help them move faster, modernize with confidence, and improve the economics of their business," Atre said. "We are now committing an additional $100 million over the next two years to modernize core systems with embedded AI and build AI-native insurance products designed to help carriers lower expense ratios, improve performance, and grow more profitably."
CRC Benefits, a division of CRC Group, has hired Karen Crotty as a benefits sales executive to lead a new Northeast-focused department serving brokers in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, with a specific mandate covering Minimum Value Plans and Minimum Essential Coverage plans.
The hire reflects sustained employer demand for ACA-compliant coverage alternatives as small and mid-size businesses seek cost-containment solutions outside traditional fully insured arrangements. MVP and MEC plans have grown in relevance as employers navigating rising medical inflation look for compliant structures that manage premium exposure without exiting group coverage entirely. Crotty brings more than 35 years of employee benefits experience across carrier relationships, broker support and the general agency wholesale model.
HDI Global has appointed Justin Gress as chief operating officer of its US business, as part of the carrier's four-year Xcelerate29 group strategy running from 2026 to 2029, which is designed to bring underwriting, claims and service teams closer to brokers and clients.
Gress brings more than two decades of leadership experience across operations, technology and business transformation, including COO roles at Vantage Risk and leadership positions at AXA XL and CNA Financial. His mandate covers technology and data enablement, transformation, product development and talent management, with a brief to build a scalable, consistent operating model across HDI's US specialty business.
"My focus will be on translating these strengths into a consistent and scalable operating model," Gress said. "We will enhance operational clarity for brokers and clients, advance our technology and data capabilities, and foster a culture where colleagues can do their best work."
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has appointed Monica Donatelli as national surety practice development leader, tasking her with developing practice strategy, client service delivery and the expansion of EPIC's surety capabilities nationwide.
The appointment reflects growing demand for specialist surety capacity as infrastructure spending accelerates and project finance structures increasingly require bonding solutions across construction, energy and transportation. Donatelli brings more than 16 years of experience in construction and commercial surety, advising contractors, developers, investor-backed platforms and financial institutions, and was recently elected president of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers. At EPIC, she will focus on expanding access to market capacity and developing bonding solutions across construction, customs and transportation, waste management, financial services, healthcare and energy.
"EPIC's national platform has built a strong foundation for serving clients with bonding and risk management needs," Donatelli said. "I'm excited to build on existing momentum by helping grow the firm's surety practice and delivering specialized solutions for organizations that rely on surety bonding as a critical part of their business."
