Mark Kociancic, previously Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at SCOR, has been appointed as Executive Vice President (EVP) and Group CFO of Bermuda-based reinsurer Everest Re Group, Ltd., as Jim Williamson takes on the role of EVP and Group Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Both Kociancic and Williamson will serve on the Everest Executive Leadership Committee and report directly to the firm’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Juan C. Andrade.
It was announced earlier today that Kociancic has departed SCOR and been replaced as CFO by Ian Kelly. Prior to his role as CFO, which he held since 2013, Kociancic served in a number of senior executive roles with SCOR’s U.S. operations starting in 2006, prior to being named Deputy CFO in 2012 and then CFO the following year.
Kociancic succeeds Crag Howie, who is set to stay at the firm through the remainder of the year to ensure an orderly transition. Kociancic’s appointment at Everest Re is effective October 12th, 2020.
Williamson joins the company from global re/insurer Chubb, where he most recently served as Division President, Small Business. Prior to this, he served in numerous senior executive roles with the company’s North America and International businesses, as well as at The Hartford. He brings expertise in underwriting, operations, distribution, and the application of tech across these areas to Everest Re.
His appointment is effective October 5th, 2020, and in his new role, Williamson takes on responsibility for advancing underwriting excellence, digital transformation, innovation, and efficiency across the Group.
Commenting on the appointments, Andrade said: “Mark and Jim are exceptionally talented executives who bring a wealth of experience, operational acumen, and global industry knowledge to Everest. Mark is a seasoned CFO with deep global expertise across the entire finance function and with strong capital markets and investments experience. Jim is a strategic leader with extensive Property & Casualty industry experience and an excellent track record of building, growing, and running profitable businesses.
“I am very excited to partner with them, and the rest of our executive management team, to build upon our strong foundation and deliver our strategic objectives in the next chapter of Everest’s journey.
“On behalf of the executive management team, I want to thank Craig Howie for his dedication to this organization over the past eight years. He has been an instrumental leader and an important contributor to Everest’s evolution, and we wish him the best in his next endeavor.”
On his new role, Kociancic said: “I am delighted to be joining Everest and I am excited about its bright future. I look forward to working with Juan, the executive leadership team, and the finance organization to further enhance our capabilities and build upon Everest’s strong franchise.”
While Williamson added: “I am excited to join the high performing team at Everest. This team has built best in class capabilities in reinsurance and insurance, and the Company has incredible potential to continue its track record of profitable growth. I look forward to working with Juan and the rest of the team to lead Everest to greater heights.”
