W. R. Berkley Corporation Explained

W. R. Berkley Corporation
Type:Public
Industry:Insurance
Founder:William R. Berkley
Location:Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Key People:William R. Berkley, Executive Chairman
W. Robert Berkley Jr., President & CEO
Revenue: $11.166 billion (2022)
Net Income: $1.318 billion (2022)
Assets: $33.861 billion (2022)
Equity: $6.768 billion (2022)
Owner:William R. Berkley 20.8% [1]
Num Employees:7,448 (2018)
Footnotes:[2]

W. R. Berkley Corporation is a commercial lines property & casualty insurance holding company organized in Delaware and based in Greenwich, Connecticut.[2]

The company operates commercial insurance businesses in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, Scandinavia, Asia and Australia and reinsurance businesses in the United States, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and South Africa.[2]

The company is ranked 397th on the Fortune 500.[3]

History

W. R. Berkley Corporation was founded in 1967 by William R. Berkley, who currently serves as Executive Chairman.

In November 1973, the company became a public company via an initial public offering. At that time, the founder owned 23.8% of the company.[4]

In 1994, the company acquired Key Risk Management Services Inc.[5]

In 1995, the company acquired the remaining 40% interest in Signet Star from Gen Re.[6] The company also acquired MECC for $138 million.[7]

In August 2006, the company acquired Garnet Captive Services LLC, a San Francisco insurance brokerage and alternative risk consulting firm.[8]

On October 31, 2015, Mr. Berkley's son, W. Robert Berkley, Jr., became President and CEO.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023 Proxy Statement . Securities and Exchange Commission . 2023-10-15.
  2. Web site: W. R. Berkley Corporation 2018 Form 10-K Annual Report . U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  3. Web site: W.R. Berkley . Fortune.
  4. Web site: W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION . . May 9, 2013.
  5. News: Berkley Adds Key Risk . . . November 5, 1994 . subscription.
  6. News: COMPANY NEWS; W. R. BERKLEY TO BUY REMAINING STAKE IN REINSURER . . . July 21, 1995 . subscription.
  7. News: COMPANY NEWS; W. R. BERKLEY TO ACQUIRE MECC FOR $138 MILLION . . . September 15, 1995 . subscription.
  8. News: W.R. Berkley buys SF captive insurance specialist . . August 1, 2006.
  9. W. R. Berkley Corporation Continues Succession Plan . . August 4, 2015.