NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Navigators Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NAVG) today announced that its principal underwriting agency subsidiary, Navigators Management Company, Inc. (NMC), has launched a new operating unit, Navigators Specialty, which will focus exclusively on working with U.S. Wholesale Brokers, initially underwriting primary and excess casualty products. Jeff L. Saunders, previously President of the Excess Casualty Division, has been named President of Navigators Specialty. The executive management team for Navigators Specialty consists of Mark J. Richards, President of Primary Casualty and Don W. Roberts, Chief Underwriting Officer; also joining the executive management team will be Noel Higgitt and Henry A. Lopez, formerly Regional Vice Presidents of NMC.
"The excess and surplus lines markets are already beginning to show signs of firming and, by launching Navigators Specialty, we are recognizing the value and expertise of wholesale brokers, and dedicating unique resources to their growing needs," said Mr. Saunders.
"We have always enjoyed tremendous relationships with the wholesale brokerage community," commented Stanley A. Galanski, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Organizing a business unit dedicated to the wholesale market reaffirms our strong commitment and will foster growth with key wholesale partners."
The Navigators Group, Inc. is an international specialty insurance holding company with insurance company operations, underwriting management companies, and operations at Lloyd's of London. Headquartered in New York, Navigators has offices in major insurance centers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Whenever used in this release, the words "estimate," "expect," "believe" or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We cannot assure that results that we anticipate will be achieved, since results may differ materially because of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that we face. Please refer to Navigators' most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of Navigators' business and the important factors that may affect that business. Navigators undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.