W. R. Berkley Corporation Establishes Treaty Unit Dedicated to South Africa

GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

W. R. Berkley Corporation WRB, today announced the establishment of a business unit dedicated to writing South African business. The new unit, which will report to Berkley Re UK, will provide fast and reliable treaty service to both insurers and brokers in the region.

Sean Paradine has been named as senior vice president, underwriting: Africa. Mr. Paradine has nearly 25 years of reinsurance experience, most recently as vice president of international reinsurance at another leading international global reinsurer with responsibility for sub-Saharan Africa treaty, worldwide facultative (excluding USA), Asia marine treaty and home foreign treaty.

In making the announcement, William R. Berkley, chairman and chief executive officer, said "Africa is a dynamic and rapidly growing region of the world and one in which we believe our organization can make a difference in the services it offers to clients. Sean brings the experience and focus that will enable us to reach our goal by providing market-leading client solutions and expertise."

Berkley Re is a provider of reinsurance products and services that address the diverse needs of clients worldwide, through operating units in the United States, United Kingdom and Asia Pacific. For further information about the products and services available from Berkley Re UK, please contact Richard Fothergill at rfothergill@berkleyreuk.com.

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in three segments of the property casualty insurance business: Insurance-Domestic, Insurance-International and Reinsurance-Global.

This is a "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2015 and beyond, are based upon the Company's historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the success of our new ventures or acquisitions and the availability of other opportunities, our ability to attract and retain key personnel and qualified employees, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks could cause actual results of the industry or our actual results for the year 2015 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. Any projections of growth in the Company's revenues would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of earnings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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