With more than 20 years of experience, Jim Williamson joined Everest in 2020 as group chief operating officer (COO). Credit: T. Schneider/Shutterstock.

Reinsurer Everest Group has named its executive vice-president and group COO Jim Williamson as acting CEO, effective immediately.  

 Williamson has also become a member of the company’s board of directors.  

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He will work with senior colleagues including CFO Mark Kociancic to pursue Everest’s long-term objectives. 

The announcement follows the departure of Juan C Andrade, who has stepped down as president and CEO to join financial services firm USAA in the same capacity, starting on 2 April. 

Andrade has been working as Everest’s president and CEO since 2020. 

With more than 20 years of experience, Williamson joined Everest in 2020 as the group COO.  

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He later took on additional responsibilities as head of the company’s reinsurance division in May 2021.  

In March 2024, he was promoted to oversee both the reinsurance and insurance businesses.  

His career includes senior roles at the Hartford, Chubb and ACE, covering commercial, specialty and consumer lines of business in the US and internationally. 

Everest Group board chairman Joseph Taranto said: “The Board of Directors has great confidence in Jim and is pleased to have appointed him to take the helm at Everest. His appointment is consistent with the Board’s succession planning process, and we believe that his deep experience spanning insurance and reinsurance sectors, functional areas and geography will deliver value for stakeholders and position Everest well for the future.  

“Jim will continue to partner with an experienced and talented group of senior colleagues, including CFO Mark Kociancic, to achieve Everest’s long-term strategic goals. In addition, we wish Juan well in his new position.” 

Everest is known for providing property, casualty and specialty reinsurance and insurance solutions.