Hardy Appoints David Brosnan Chief Executive

LONDON, Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hardy (Underwriting Agencies) Limited (Hardy), a leading specialist (re)insurance underwriting business, today announces the appointment of David Brosnan as its chief executive. Mr. Brosnan has also been appointed to serve on the Hardy Board of Directors. These appointments are effective immediately and have been approved by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and are subject to approval by Lloyd's of London.

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Commenting on Mr. Brosnan's appointment, Tom Motamed, chairman of the Hardy Board of Directors and chairman and chief executive officer of CNA Financial Corporation (CNA), CNA said: "Dave's experience uniquely qualifies him to lead Hardy in the execution of its critical role in broadening the CNA strategy to expand our geographic and product reach."

As chief executive of Hardy and as a non-executive director of the CNA Insurance Company Limited (CICL) Board, Mr. Brosnan will be based in London. He will work closely with John Hennessy, chief executive of CICL, to develop strategies that will align enterprise-wide capabilities and strengthen international offerings to customers.  

Mr. Brosnan replaces Barbara Merry as chief executive.

Mr. Motamed expressed his thanks to Ms. Merry, commenting: "Barbara has been a valuable and trusted member of the Hardy management team and Board for 12 years. I commend her outstanding leadership, including her role in the effective transition of Hardy to a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of CNA."

Mr. Brosnan joined CNA in May 2013 as senior vice president of International. His responsibilities included leading an underwriting team in the strengthening of CNA's Home Foreign business, and an expansion of its international capabilities.

Mr. Brosnan has more than 27 years of industry experience. Previous to CNA, he was with ACE Canada, most notably serving as president and CEO of ACE INA and ACE INA Life Insurance Companies. Prior to that, he served as president of ACE Casualty Risk and held various underwriting positions, including European Zone underwriting officer with Chubb in London.

Notes to Editors:

About Hardy Underwriting
Hardy is a specialist underwriting business operating within Lloyd's of London. Its business has been built around its management of and participation on Lloyd's syndicate 382, which underwrites a range of insurance and reinsurance classes on a worldwide basis.

SOURCE Hardy Underwriting Limited