Image: Heather Graziani_Accelerant Accelerant appoints Graziani as VP of captive solutions. Accelerant appoints Heather Graziani as vice president of captive solutions, as the data-driven risk exchange continues to scale its specialty insurance offerings. Based in the United States, Graziani joins the firm's leadership team to help shape and drive the growth of its captive solutions division. Graziani joins Accelerant from Starr Insurance Companies, where she spent more than five years, most recently as assistant vice president of global risk management. During her tenure at Starr, she specialised in the design and implementation of customised fronted captive reinsurance and indemnity property and casualty programmes. Commenting on her new role, Graziani says: "After an incredible chapter building the captive practice at Starr from the ground up alongside amazing colleagues, clients, and trading partners (many now close friends), I've decided to take the next step in my career. I'm excited to share that I've joined Accelerant to help shape and grow its captive solutions!" Prior to her time at Starr, Graziani served as head of broker relations for Boston at Beazley, where she managed long-term client and broker relationships in the New England region. Her career also includes nearly five years with AIG, where she held roles as a client manager and financial lines underwriter. As a client manager, she advised on the design of fronted captive programmes and provided expertise to corporate leadership on the impact of such programmes on balance sheets. Earlier in her career, Graziani served as an account analyst at Conner Strong & Buckelew. Accelerant operates as a specialty insurance platform that partners with managing general agents and specialty underwriters to provide access to risk capital and technology. Its proprietary platform analyses underwriting data to generate insights intended to reduce friction and unlock growth for participants in the risk exchange.

Balavant introduces Sentric Specialty, advancing its vision for next-generation program managers. Mar 19, 2026, 16:49 ET Entrepreneurial underwriting leadership and strategic capital combine to build a scaled specialty franchise. NOVATO, Calif., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Balavant Insurance Group ("Balavant") today announced the launch of Sentric Specialty, a new program manager (PA) built on the Balavant platform to deliver specialty solutions for niche and emerging risks across manufacturing, crisis management, and professional liability. Sentric's inaugural innovation in manufacturing defect protection bridges a long-standing coverage gap by expanding the conventional coverage triggers for Product Recall to include Manufacturers Errors and Omissions (E&O). This launch marks the first of a series of product innovations designed to meet an evolving risk landscape. Sentric is led by Chief Executive Officer Florian Beerli, a recognized leader with deep expertise in specialty niche lines. Beerli most recently served as Head of Specialties and US Programs at Beazley, overseeing a portfolio spanning the U.S., Canada, and Asia. "Sentric Specialty enters the market with a clear point of view and a solution that moves specialty insurance forward," said Rekha Skantharaja, CEO of Balavant Insurance Group. "Their manufacturing defect protection approach sets the tone for the innovations to come. Balavant is committed to building category-leading PAs, and we are excited to support Florian and his team." In connection with its launch, Sentric has acquired the renewal rights to Beazley's product recall book of business, establishing immediate scale and continuity in the marketplace. Sentric will be backed by Hudson Insurance Group, an Odyssey Group company, which will provide its paper, rated A+ by AM Best. Hudson is a leading specialty carrier known for its underwriting depth and long-term PA partnerships, bringing its capacity and financial stability to the platform. "We believe Sentric Specialty is launching with a compelling combination of proven underwriting leadership and an established product recall platform. Florian's track record speaks for itself, and we are proud to partner with him and the Balavant team," said Trevor Howard, Executive Vice President of Hudson Insurance Group. The launch of Sentric reflects Balavant's broader vision of building a next-generation MGA platform. Since its formation, Balavant has grown to include Tangram Insurance Services, TIMBY Specialty, Preferred Reinsurance Intermediaries, and now Sentric Specialty. Together, these businesses demonstrate Balavant's commitment to partnering with entrepreneurial underwriting leaders and building scaled specialty insurance franchises. "Balavant was built to give best-in-class underwriting teams the platform, infrastructure, and strategic support to launch, scale, and sustain category-leading specialty businesses," added Skantharaja. "Sentric is exactly that kind of builder." About Balavant Insurance Group Balavant Insurance Group is a leading MGA platform bringing best-in-class technology, centralized services and leadership to drive profitable and scalable growth across its subsidiaries. For more information, visit balavantinsurancegroup.com. About Hudson Insurance Group Hudson Insurance Group is a market-leading specialty insurer that offers a wide range of property and casualty insurance products to corporations, professional firms and individuals through retailers, wholesalers and program administrators. Its companies are rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best, Financial Size Category XV. For more information, visit hudsoninsgroup.com. SOURCE Balavant Insurance Group

WICC is pleased to welcome Beazley as a National Sponsor. TORONTO, March 16, 2026 - Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC) is pleased to announce it has recently partnered with Beazley as its latest National Sponsor. A global insurer with a 40-year history, Beazley has maintained a steady presence in the Canadian insurance market. Beazley helps businesses address complex risk, from cyber and technology, to aviation and renewable energy. Through innovative and specialty solutions, businesses are free to explore, create and grow with confidence. Beazley's worldview of being bold and relentlessly striving for better aligns with WICC's mission to improve the lives of those affected by cancer and keep pushing cancer research forward. Zachary Cruickshank, Country Manager for Canada, underscored these values when announcing the partnership; "As a leading sustainable specialty insurer, our focus at Beazley is on building more resilient communities and supporting charitable work that makes a difference. The work WICC does to advance cancer research and support those affected is truly vital, and we are proud to stand behind their mission to save and improve lives." "We are delighted to welcome Beazley as a WICC National Sponsor," said Amanda Martin, WICC Ontario Co-Chair. "Beazley's support reflects a deep commitment to strengthening communities and improving outcomes for Canadians impacted by cancer. Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade is honoured that Beazley has chosen to invest in WICC's mission and help drive meaningful, lasting change." About Beazley Beazley plc (BEZ.L), is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, North America, Latin America, Bermuda and Asia. Beazley manages six Lloyd's syndicates and, in 2025, underwrote gross premiums worldwide of $6,100.7 million. All Lloyd's syndicates are rated A+ by A.M. Best. Beazley is a market leader in many of its chosen lines, which include Directors & Officers, Financial Lines, Cyber, Property, Marine and Aviation, Reinsurance, Accident and Life, and Political Risks and Contingency business. About The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. Thanks to its donors and volunteers, Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade is able to fund ground-breaking cancer research into all types of cancer, offer support services to help people better manage life with cancer, shape healthy public policies to prevent cancer and support those living with the disease, and offer trusted cancer information for all Canadians. More information about the CCS can be found at cancer.ca. About WICC Since its inception in 1996, WICC and the individuals who work in the property and casualty insurance industry in Canada have raised over $20 million nationally in support of cancer research and education. WICC's mission is to unite and engage the Canadian insurance community to fund cancer research, educate, and improve the lives of those affected by cancer. More information about WICC can be found at wicc.ca. Media Contacts - WICC Ontario Co-Chairs, Communications Joelle Lafrenière Janice Merkley