W. R. Berkley Corporation Appoints Three Senior Executives to High Net Worth Personal Lines Business

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

W. R. Berkley Corporation WRB today announced senior appointments within the Company's newly created high net worth personal lines business. Kevin G. Hogan has been named senior vice president and chief operating officer, Susan M. Vella has been named senior vice president - customer experience, and Christoph Ritterson has been named senior vice president - marketing. All three will report to corporate senior vice president Kathleen M. Tierney, who oversees this new business unit. The appointments are effective immediately.

Mr. Hogan, Ms. Vella and Mr. Ritterson each have over 25 years of experience in the high net worth personal lines business. Mr. Hogan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Assumption College. Ms. Vella holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University. Mr. Ritterson is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College with a Bachelors of Arts degree.

W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chief executive officer and president of W. R. Berkley Corporation, commented on the appointments, "We continue to build out our high net worth personal lines operation with talented individuals who can deliver best-in-class products and a superior customer experience in collaboration with the best agents in the business. We welcome Kevin, Susan and Christoph to the group and look forward to their contributions as we develop a platform that will set us apart in this unique specialty market."

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 two segments of the property casualty business: Insurance and Reinsurance.

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 2016 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 2016 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.

Products and services are provided by one or more insurance company subsidiaries of W. R. Berkley Corporation. Not all products and services are available in every jurisdiction, and the precise coverage afforded by any insurer is subject to the actual terms and conditions of the policies as issued.

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