Gordon Browne joins AGCS as Global Head of Specialty

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) announces that Gordon Browne has been appointed Global Head of Specialty, reporting to Chief Underwriting Officer

Shanil Williams who oversees all of AGCS’s nine lines of business in the AGCS SE Board of Management. Browne will join AGCS in New York in April 2023 to lead the underwriting and further development of its well-established Specialty business which are Aviation, Energy & Construction, Entertainment, and Marine. Together they represented nearly 30% of the €11.2 billion of gross written premiums that AGCS underwrote in 2022, making up a diversified portfolio that covers risks as varied as large infrastructure or renewable projects, international cargo, and blue-water shipping fleets, as well as Hollywood blockbusters, music festivals, major ‘flag carrier’ airlines, and international airports.

This appointment reflects the strategic importance of Specialty in AGCS’s global business as well as the opportunities created by Allianz’s Integrated Commercial strategy as announced last week. Under this strategy, AGCS will be partnering closely with national Allianz P&C companies to present one face to market for Commercial business—Mid Corporate, Large Corporate and Specialty customers—under the Allianz brand, with the new trading name of Allianz Commercial.

Most recently Global Head of Energy & Construction and Head of North America Specialty for AIG, Gordon joins AGCS with almost 20 years’ industry experience in the United States and United Kingdom. Prior to his almost eight years with AIG, where he was also UK Head of Energy & Construction and Global Product Line Executive for Energy and Engineered Risks, he held senior leadership roles at both Liberty International Underwriters and global broker Marsh.

Chief Underwriting Officer Shanil Williams says “I’m delighted to welcome Gordon to our leadership team. Specialty customers are an important part of our client base and, with the launch of Allianz Commercial, the moment is right to invest and develop in this area further. Gordon will work with the Specialty leadership team to reinforce our strong position in this segment, as well as ensuring that Specialty plays a significant role in the partnership with Allianz’s national companies as we grow the wider Commercial business.”