Nationwide hires ex-QBE NA CEO Johnston to lead E&S business

Nationwide has named former QBE North America CEO Russ Johnston as its new excess and surplus (E&S)/specialty lines leader, filling the role that has been vacant since Tom Clark’s retirement at the end of last year.

Johnston will join Nationwide on 15 February, when he will take on leadership of the fourth largest E&S insurer in the US.

“Our E&S/specialty lines business is well-positioned for continued growth in 2021 and we’re excited about the future under Russ’s leadership,” said Mark Berven, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide P&C.

Former Nationwide E&S/specialty leader Clark retired from the company at the end of 2020. Clark has since joined Ryan Specialty Group as executive vice president.

Johnston has over 30 years of experience in the North American insurance industry.

He left QBE North America in 2019, having first joined the company as CEO in May 2016. Before QBE North America, Johnston was AIG’s president of casualty in the Americas. During his time at AIG, Johnston served in a variety of roles including leading its casualty, property and casualty, environmental and risk management platforms.

He left AIG in November 2015 as one of a number of exits that formed part of a property and casualty divisional management reorganisation.

Johnston began his career at Chubb in commercial insurance underwriting.

“Given the critical role our E&S/specialty business plays in our overall portfolio, I look forward to working with Russ and am confident in the vision and leadership he brings to Nationwide as we look to advance our market leading position,” added Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO.