Big Moves: New market entrant in Canada launches with a familiar face

Forensic engineer Chris Giffin, former CEO of 30 Forensic Engineering, is heading up the Canadian expansion of Dallas-based Haag Global Inc.

As the new CEO of Haag Canada, Giffin is based in Toronto, the company said in September when announcing its expansion.

For the property and casualty insurance industry, Haag Canada provides forensic engineering, loss remediation and mitigation, physical damage quantification and appraisal, and risk and project management.

Giffin co-founded Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering in 2002 and led the firm for about 16 years. Giffin Koerth changed its name to 30 Forensic Engineering in 2016, and Giffin sold his interest in 30 Forensic about two years later. Co-founder Ron Koerth sold his interest in 2015. Giffin began his forensic engineering career in 1988.

“Chris’ exceptional vision, professionalism, and expertise align perfectly with the quality and integrity that we value so highly as a company,” Haag Global CEO Justin Kestner said in a release.

Who: Chris Giffin

Current role: CEO, Haag Canada

P&C experience: 32 years

Profile: Founded Giffin Koerth, now known as 30 Forensic Engineering, and expanded the firm from four engineers to more than 60 engineers, scientists, and experts working in 13 different practice areas of forensic engineering, loss mitigation, and remediation.

Commercial insurer FM Global has promoted James P. O’Brien to lead its new Canada and specialty industries division. O’Brien has worked for Rhode Island-based FM Global since 1989. He is now senior vice president, Canada, and specialty industries division manager.

Michael Alwyn is Sedgwick’s new president of operations in Canada. Alwyn joined Sedgwick in 2017. Most recently he served as Sedgwick’s chief operating officer for Canada and has more than 30 years of experience in claims adjusting.

Christopher Bartlett is the 2020-21 president of the Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Association. He is the supervisor of commercial claims at Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. He took over as CIAA president in October from John Jones.