Cowbell announced the appointment of Simon Hughes as Chief Commercial Officer. Hughes, who previously served as SVP, Global Distribution & GM, UK, will oversee Cowbell’s global commercial strategy, including distribution, partnerships, international expansion and market development.

Cowbell said that since he joined the company to launch and lead its UK operations, Hughes has played a pivotal role in expanding the insurer’s international footprint and strengthening its distribution ecosystem.

“Simon has been instrumental in shaping Cowbell’s international presence and elevating our commercial capabilities,” said Trent Cooksley, Co‑founder & Chief Operating Officer, Cowbell. “As we enter this next phase of growth, his leadership across distribution, partnerships, and global market strategy will be critical to scaling responsibly while deepening our value to brokers and policyholders worldwide.”

***

The MEMIC Group, a super-regional workers compensation insurer, welcomes back Matt Coy as its new Chief Information Officer, succeeding Jack Yao, who retired at the end of 2025 after more than nine years of service.

Coy will lead MEMIC’s technology strategy, oversee the maintenance and enhancement of its platforms, and ensure delivery of innovative IT solutions that align with MEMIC’s business goals. He rejoins MEMIC after serving as CIO at Montana State Fund. His career includes senior leadership roles such as Vice President of Information Technology at MEMIC, Director of Application Development for Aetna, and key positions at Optum and Coventry Health Care.

“We’re delighted to have Matt Coy rejoin The MEMIC Group as our Chief Information Officer. Matt’s proven expertise and strategic leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping our future as we strengthen our position as the third-largest workers’ compensation specialty insurer in the U.S.,” said Michael Bourque, MEMIC President & CEO.

***

Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) announced that eight members of its executive team have been promoted to new senior leadership roles.

Brent Skiles has been promoted from Senior Vice President, Insurance Operations to SVP & Chief Transformation Officer, Insurance Operations. Skiles has been with PHLY for 15 years and assumed leadership of the company’s Insurance Operations Division in 2018. In his new role, he will expand his experience overseeing enterprise-level transformation initiatives that focus on improving underwriting effectiveness, operational efficiency and ease of doing business.

Kimberly Hamilton has been promoted from Senior Vice President, Underwriting to SVP & Deputy Chief Underwriting Officer, Underwriting. Hamilton joined PHLY in 2003 and, for the past six years as SVP, has driven growth, revitalization and strategic advancement of multiple commercial lines underwriting divisions, including nationwide field offices. In her new role as Deputy Chief Underwriting Officer, she will expand her leadership to oversee the Human Services Division.

George Schalick has been promoted from Senior Vice President, Underwriting to SVP & Deputy Chief Underwriting Officer, Underwriting. Schalick has held several leadership positions during his 23-year tenure at PHLY, including overseeing the Management and Professional Liability Division since 2016. In his new role as Deputy Chief Underwriting Officer, he will continue to have overall responsibility for the Management & Professional Liability Division and also have PHLY’s Excess & Surplus Lines Division report to him.

Patrick Walton has been promoted from Senior Vice President, Corporate Underwriting to SVP & Deputy Chief Underwriting Officer, Underwriting. Walton joined PHLY in 2013 as Vice President of Corporate Underwriting and was promoted to SVP in 2016. He is responsible for the placement of PHLY’s reinsurance treaties; the development and tracking of various underwriting initiatives; and the management of property catastrophe aggregates, pricing tools and peril-specific underwriting guidelines.

Jason Copus has been promoted from Vice President of Data Strategy and Automation to SVP of Business Transformation, Insurance Operations. Copus joined PHLY in 2013 and became Vice President of Data Strategy and Automation in 2022, leading the collection, analysis and operationalization of PHLY’s data. In his new role, he will continue to advance PHLY’s data strategy, as well as lead transformation of the business, including oversight for the company’s implementation of artificial intelligence.

Brian Himmer has been promoted from Vice President, Underwriting to SVP, Underwriting. Throughout his 19-year tenure at PHLY, Himmer has held various management roles within both the Home Office and Field Offices. Most recently, he has served as the Vice President of Commercial Lines Underwriting, overseeing the Northeast Territory, which includes the New England and Metro Regions. In his new SVP role, he will continue leading the Commercial Lines Underwriting Team for the Northeast Territory while collaborating on strategic advancements in underwriting capabilities and service throughout the nine-state territory.

Danielle Panzarino has been promoted from Vice President, Underwriting to SVP, Underwriting. Panzarino joined PHLY in 2006 and since 2015, has served in multiple management roles in the Rocky Mountain, West and Northwest Regions. As SVP, she will expand her responsibilities to oversee the Western Territory Commercial Lines team.

Michael Sisk has been promoted from Vice President, Underwriting to SVP, Underwriting. Over his 18 years at PHLY, Sisk has held a variety of underwriting and leadership roles within Management & Professional Liability, most recently serving as Vice President overseeing the Northeast, South and West territories. In his new role as SVP, Sisk will serve as the Division Head of Management & Professional Liability Underwriting.