Liberty Mutual Insurance has announced the creation of a new Infrastructure Solutions practice, appointing two senior leaders to oversee the initiative.
Douglas Schrift (pictured above, right) has been named global head of infrastructure. In this role, Schrift will lead the practice, act as the primary contact for brokers and clients, and manage account-level strategies across product lines.
He brings more than 25 years of experience in contractor, brokerage, and carrier roles, most recently serving as chief underwriting officer for Subcontractor Default Insurance at Liberty Mutual Surety.
Manuela Baroncini (pictured above, left) has been appointed global technical lines leader. Baroncini will oversee Liberty’s specialized energy and construction underwriting worldwide, with a focus on first-party property and builder’s risk coverage.
She is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience and previously served as global head of engineering and construction at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, where she led the portfolio and growth strategy, including work in renewable energy.
Neeti Bhalla Johnson, president of GRS, commented on the launch, saying, “We are at a pivotal moment in global infrastructure, and Liberty is uniquely positioned – with scale, breadth and underwriting specialization – to stand with clients on their most complex, long-term projects.”
The Infrastructure Solutions practice will cover construction across physical, digital, and energy projects, as well as other large civil and technical construction work. Liberty’s Global Risk Solutions (GRS) division, which includes commercial, specialty insurance, reinsurance, and international personal lines, currently serves 80 of the top 100 ENR contractors.
The announcement comes as infrastructure projects worldwide continue to expand in size and complexity, increasing the demand for specialized insurance and risk management solutions. Global infrastructure construction spending is projected to exceed $7 trillion by 2028.
In April, Liberty Mutual’s board also named Timothy Sweeney as chairman. Sweeney, who continues as president and CEO, succeeds David Long, who is retiring after four decades with the company.
Liberty Specialty Markets, a part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, also made a key appointment earlier this month by naming James Cole as head of client and broker distribution for the UK and MENA region.
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