Steven Hearn Joins Brown & Brown as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Steven Hearn, a distinguished professional in the insurance and reinsurance sector, has officially taken on the role of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the well-established insurance brokerage firm, Brown & Brown. His journey with the company began in 2024 when he was appointed as a Director, following a successful tenure as the Chief Executive Officer at Inver Re, the dedicated reinsurance broking unit of the Ardonagh Group. Hearn held this key position from November 2021 until July 2024.
As part of his new responsibilities at Brown & Brown, Hearn has stepped down from the company’s board of directors and will now be an integral member of the operating committee. With over 35 years of invaluable experience in the insurance industry, he is poised to significantly contribute to the firm’s ongoing growth and strategic initiatives.
Powell Brown, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Brown & Brown, expressed his enthusiasm about Hearn’s appointment, stating: “Steve has been a close friend of the firm, and of mine, for more than 20 years. We have collaborated and engaged in business together, and we are thrilled to welcome him to our team. His contributions to Brown & Brown during his tenure on the board have been remarkable.”
Brown continued, “As we strive towards our ambitious interim revenue target of $8 billion, the timing for Steve to join our organization couldn’t be better. His leadership will be critical in driving operational excellence and scaling our efforts, as we further solidify our position as a premier global provider of insurance solutions. We are at a pivotal moment in our growth journey, and Steve’s extensive network and global expertise will empower us to identify and partner with like-minded organizations, while also attracting, developing, and retaining top-tier insurance professionals.”
Prior to his impactful role at Inver Re, Hearn served as the Chief Executive Officer for Ardonagh Capital Solutions Holdings, which is the holding company for the Ardonagh Group’s reinsurance broking, captives, and Managing General Agent (MGA) businesses, from September 2022 until July 2024. Before that, he was the Director of Ardonagh International. Hearn initially joined the Ardonagh Group in 2021 as the Chief Executive Officer of Ardonagh Specialty Holdings Limited, a position he held until September 2022.
In his earlier career, Hearn was the Chief Executive Officer of Corant Global, a subsidiary of BGC Partners, Inc. (BGC), from February 2019 until BGC’s insurance brokerage division was sold to The Ardonagh Group in November 2021. From 2015 until that acquisition, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ed Broking Group Limited. His extensive experience also includes senior leadership roles at Willis Group Holdings plc and its various businesses, including Willis Re and Willis Limited. Additionally, Hearn has held significant positions at Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs; Glencairn Limited; Marsh Affinity Europe & Middle East; Marsh Affinity UK; and Sedgwick Affinity Group Services.
Moreover, Hearn currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Atrium Underwriters Ltd. and holds the position of Chairman at PPL. Reflecting on his new role, Hearn remarked: “Brown & Brown is an extraordinary and dynamic organization, and I am incredibly fortunate that the skills and experiences I have accumulated throughout my career are seen as catalysts for the ongoing work within the company. Our shared commitment to relationships and our dedication to people — including customers, colleagues, carrier partners, shareholders, and our communities — make this opportunity particularly exhilarating.”
