GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: BER) today announced the formation of Berkley Life Sciences, LLC. Based in New Jersey, Berkley Life Sciences will initially offer casualty products to the life sciences marketplace - - including medical device, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies - - on behalf of W. R. Berkley Corporation’s insurance company subsidiaries.
Jill E. Wadlund has been named president of Berkley Life Sciences. Ms. Wadlund has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and 13 years specifically in the life sciences area. She previously served in senior positions with major life sciences insurers.
Emily J. Urban has been appointed senior vice president and chief underwriting officer of Berkley Life Sciences. Ms. Urban was most recently vice president / zone manager of technology insurance at a major life sciences insurer. She has over 18 years of insurance industry experience.
William R. Berkley, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, said: “We are pleased to have individuals as accomplished as Jill and Emily join us. We expect Berkley Life Sciences to be well positioned to serve the needs of the life sciences industry.”
For further information about the products and services available from Berkley Life Sciences, please contact Jill Wadlund at jwadlund@berkleyls.com, or Emily Urban at eurban@berkleyls.com.
Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance, and international.
This is a “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2007 and beyond, are based upon the Company’s historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the success of our new ventures or acquisitions and the availability of other opportunities, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks could cause actual results of the industry or our actual results for the year 2007 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. Any projections of growth in the Company’s net premiums written and service fees would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of underwriting and operating profits. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Contacts
W. R. Berkley Corporation Karen A. Horvath, 203-629-3000 Vice President – External Financial Communications
