A series of senior appointments and structural changes has been announced across the US insurance and broking market, spanning retail property and casualty, transactional liability, and employee benefits, among others.
Venbrook names president of retail P&C
Venbrook Group LLC has appointed Tom Sleeper (pictured) as president of its retail property and casualty division.
In the newly defined role, Sleeper will focus on growth, integration, and enterprise value creation across Venbrook’s national retail platform. His remit includes strengthening the division’s operational framework, deepening carrier relationships, supporting existing clients and producers, and attracting new talent and business opportunities.
Sleeper brings more than 45 years of insurance leadership experience, with a track record of building high‑performing teams that balance entrepreneurial flexibility with enterprise‑level discipline.
BHSI appoints global head of transactional liability
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has named Rory O’Broin as global head of transactional liability, enhancing its executive and professional lines leadership.
O’Broin brings extensive international experience in M&A transactional liability, contingent risk, and tax liability insurance, underpinned by deep legal expertise on complex cross‑border deals. He is based in BHSI’s London office.
Alliant Insurance Services has added Brian McDermott as vice president within its Employee Benefits Group, joining the newly formed Affinity Alliant team.
McDermott, who has more than 20 years of experience in the benefits industry, will support clients with life, disability, dental, and voluntary benefits strategies, including programs designed for associations and other member‑based organizations. Alliant’s Affinity team delivers integrated insurance solutions for associations, alumni groups, and member organizations via a unified platform aimed at streamlining purchasing, enhancing engagement, and simplifying administration.
McDermott has worked across underwriting, implementation, and long‑term account management and has been involved in product development and deployment, giving him insight into plan design and carrier operations.
Brown & Riding has made two senior appointments within its construction practice, naming George Sella as national construction practice leader and Jack O’Donnell as national construction professional liability practice leader.
Sella joined Brown & Riding in 2010, became a principal in 2015 and has co‑led the construction practice alongside Brown since 2025. As national construction practice leader, he will oversee the continued development of the practice, with responsibility for collaboration across disciplines, strategic growth, and talent development.
Meanwhile, O’Donnell joined the firm in 2017 and was named a principal in 2022. As national construction professional liability practice leader, he will focus on advancing Brown & Riding’s professional liability capabilities in the construction sector, working with retail partners and internal specialists to address increasingly complex risk profiles and contractual demands.
