What’s New: In Brief (October 29, 2008)

Earl Cameron has been appointed acting president and CEO of SGI, effective Nov.1.
Cameron is currently the vice president, claims and salvage, with SGI. He has been with the insurer for 35 years.
He moves into the position following the resignation of current SGI president and CEO Jon Schubert, effective Oct. 31. Schubert has accepted the title of president and CEO of ICBC.

W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) reported a Q3 net loss of US$28 million, compared to 2007 Q3’s net income of US$180 million.
WRB wrote US$996 million in net premiums in 2008 Q3, a decrease from the same period of 2007 when it reported US$1.132 billion in net premiums written.
The commercial underwriter recently launched Berkley Underwriting Managers Canada Ltd.
“We are pleased with the progress of our new units,” William R. Berkley, chairman and CEO said. “The current industry turmoil is giving us better traction than originally anticipated.”
He added that 2009 may, “in fact, be the point of inflection for the property casualty industry.”