CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HDI Global Insurance Company (HDI Global USA) has announced the appointment of Jim Clark as its Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2020. Mr. Clark, who is currently the company’s Chief Underwriting Officer, will succeed long-time CEO and President, Dr. Lothar Becker, who will continue to serve as Deputy Chairman of HDI Global USA and Chairman of the company’s excess and surplus lines subsidiary, HDI Specialty Insurance Company (HDI Specialty USA).
Mr. Clark, who has been with HDI Global USA since 2003 and has held a number of leadership positions within the company, brings more than 30 years of underwriting and technology experience within the financial services industry. Prior to joining HDI Global USA, Clark spent 12 years at the Kemper Group, where he handled all lines of business for international and domestic clients, including alternative risk and group captive business. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Finance and Insurance.
As CEO, he will be responsible for the continued growth of HDI Global USA and HDI Specialty USA, as well as the company’s growing operations across Canada and Mexico.
Brad Diericx, Chief Financial Officer of HDI Global USA since 2014, will assume the role of President of the company. In his expanded role, Diericx will lead the company’s information technology, human resources and operations activities, while maintaining responsibility for the company’s finance function. Prior to joining HDI Global USA, Diericx held senior executive roles in merchant banking, consulting and public accounting over his 25-year career in the insurance space.
In his almost three decades with HDI, Dr. Becker has played a pivotal role in expanding and cementing HDI’s presence throughout the North American region. He has led the development and implementation of numerous growth and technology strategies across the company, driving innovation and standardization at both domestic and international levels.
“We are pleased about the very well planned and executed leadership transition within our organization,” said Jens Wohlthat, Chairman of HDI Global USA. “Lothar has transformed our initial U.S. liaison office into a sound and very respected insurance carrier and developed our North American Region with growing entities in Canada and Mexico. We thank him for his three decades of leadership and dedication to our group and look forward to working with him in his new role.
At the same time, we feel that Jim and Brad have the qualities necessary to lead HDI into its next phase of growth. They are very experienced insurance professionals, who not only understand the culture of our company, but are also highly motivated to continue the successful path of our North American operations.
We wish all three gentlemen every success in their new roles.”
About HDI Global SE (HDI)
HDI Global SE is a leading international industrial lines insurer and member of the Talanx Group. With over 3,000 employees worldwide, HDI is active in more than 150 countries through subsidiaries and network partners. In the United States, HDI operates through its subsidiaries, HDI Global Insurance Company, a commercial property and casualty insurer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and licensed in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and HDI Specialty Insurance Company, an Illinois domestic surplus lines insurer also authorized to write business nationwide.
HDI Global SE, HDI Global Insurance Company and HDI Specialty hold Financial Strength Ratings of A (Excellent), XV from A.M. Best.
