W. R. Berkley Corporation has appointed Shadi Albert as the new president of Vela Insurance Services, following the transition of Arthur G. Davis to chairman of the business. The leadership change is effective immediately.
Albert joined the W. R. Berkley group in 2023, serving as president of Berkley Luxury Group. He previously held the position of executive vice president for strategy and business development at a US-based insurance group, where he was responsible for overseeing performance initiatives and operational planning.
Davis, who has served as president of Vela since 2019, first joined the company in 2018 as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer. In his new role as chairman, he will remain involved with the company, supporting the leadership team during the transition period.
W. Robert Berkley, Jr., president and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, acknowledged Davis’s contributions to the company and welcomed Albert into his new role.
“[Albert’s] proven leadership and depth of experience will complement the expertise of Vela’s talented team in delivering exceptional service to its brokers and clients. We are fortunate to have Shadi leading Vela going forward,” said Berkley.
Vela Insurance Services operates within the excess and surplus lines market, focusing on casualty and professional liability coverage. It serves four market segments and works exclusively through wholesale brokers. The business combines centralized service with regional knowledge to support the coverage needs of its partners and clients.
W. R. Berkley Corporation, founded in 1967, is one of the writers of commercial lines insurance in the United States. The company operates globally in two core areas of the property casualty insurance sector: insurance and reinsurance and monoline excess.
The leadership change at Vela is part of an internal realignment that includes continuity in senior oversight and the introduction of new management. Both Albert and Davis are expected to work together to support the company’s ongoing operations and strategy execution.
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